Fall to Grace
Chapter 6
By: Lazuli

Hello! Sorry it took so long for this chapter to get out, but there was a combination of so much stuff these past few weeks, I haven't been able to write. I hope you like this chapter and what goes on in it, though! Thanks as always goes to proud_snapistfor all her hard work. Naruto does not belong to me. ^_^ 

"Festival is coming up…" Sasuke murmured, ignoring how Naruto rolled his eyes. He was slowly unwrapping the layers of Naruto's clothing, a task that he enjoyed taking his time with. Both of them were in more formal wear, as their families had requested them to attend a dinner to meet potential brides. It had been a long night and both of them were happy when the formalities were over and they could leave.

"We’ve gone over this before, bastard." Naruto gave Sasuke a hard poke in the side, earning an annoyed look before his pale hands continued their task. To Naruto's mind, it wasn't fair that Sasuke was already mostly undressed and Sasuke was taking so long with undressing Naruto. "I'm not exactly looking forward to being presented a bride when…" Naruto's hands rested over Sasuke's, stilling the movements. "I don't want to marry someone…"

"It's our duty, Naruto." Sasuke's interrupted,  dark eyes meeting Naruto's troubled ones, permitting his understanding and sympathy to show—he knew exactly how Naruto felt, because it was the same for him. He knew his duty to his family and the obligations he needed to carry out. His pride and ties to his family would permit him to do nothing else; even when he loved Naruto.

Naruto nodded, making a face at the words. "I know it is." He muttered, moving his hands away so that Sasuke could continue undressing him. "That's why I want this moment to last as long as possible, because after the festival, it's all over." Neither he nor Sasuke was usually this vocal about their affections—not in the soft, sentimental ways that many couples were; this was different, though. It was as if they were trying to make up the short time they had left.

"Moron." Sasuke tugged a little harder than necessary on the undershirt. "We'll still see each other and visit each other's homes, it will even be expected of us to spend time together." But not like this…was unspoken, but understood by the both of them. They knew they couldn't continue this relationship, the one that meant so much to the both of them.

"Sasuke, let's not mention the festival, okay?" Naruto murmured, slipping Sasuke out of the remaining layers of his clothing and pulling him toward his body. "I just want to have the here and now and you." His grin was impish. "I know that sounds really stupid and sappy, but…damnit, Sasuke—we don't have that much time left and I want to enjoy what we have."

Sasuke's sigh was soft as he pulled Naruto closer, covering his mouth with his to stop anymore words. He didn't voice it out loud, but his wish was the same as Naruto's. He didn't want to get married and lose his connection with his friend and the only person he loved outside of his family. This moment was one that he would keep with him, nothing else beyond it was needed.

~

Sasuke pushed his hair out of his eyes as he folded the various articles of clothing he would need for his mission into the small, compact pack. It was almost a good thing they were getting sent where they were—the packs would be lighter and have more room for other essentials.

Sasuke had wanted to use the excuse of training to cover his trip back to Sakurai, but as he stared at the scroll containing he and his team’s newest mission, it wouldn't work anymore. Long trips and enforced marching would have been an ideal excuse, but now there was the added 'fun' of dealing with the severe weather change in Sunagakure.

Packing supplies for the trip had also been a part of the 'mission' he was giving them; if they didn't pack right, they would be the ones to suffer the consequences. This time it was doubly important. Someone who didn't pack right could pass out or get seriously ill from heatstroke or dehydration. They could work together to make sure everyone carried an equal amount, sharing the load and as a result be more comfortable for it. Nothing like a surprise test to make sure everyone has been paying attention.

If it wasn't for the ears and tail, he would have been pleased that the Godaime and several of the other ranking nin deemed him qualified and trustworthy enough to take his team out of the village. The extra features were more there, more obviously a part of him. He could feel the movements more, and if he bothered to concentrate, control the movements of the unwanted appendages. The dream he had last night hadn't helped with his temperament either. If I wasn't pissed at Naruto already, I think I'd have trouble looking at him without wondering…

Sasuke cut off that train of thought before it went much further, not even willing to admit to himself that he was having those sorts of thoughts—about Naruto, of all people. Not that it was really bad thinking about Naruto in that sense, but he'd be damned if he'd admit it. He had more important things to take care of—getting rid of the damn cat features, for one.

He couldn't admit they were getting more normal, that it wasn't so much a shock anymore to wake up curled into a ball, tail twitching near his face. Ninja were supposed to be adaptable, though; either that or it was his never ending mantra to treat it like a henge was helping.

Bracing himself as a familiar presence made itself known, he slid his hands away from his weapons to face Naruto before the blond could try and 'surprise' him. "What are you doing here, Naruto?" he asked, one eyebrow rising. He hadn't talked to the blond since he caught Naruto spying on him a few days ago.

"You're going back to the village?" Naruto's voice was uncharacteristically quiet. "And taking your entire team?" Shifting his feet, he looked away from Sasuke. "I don't think that's the best of ideas, Sasuke."

"You're a bit behind on things, Naruto." Sasuke said briskly, turning to face Naruto with an unreadable expression on his face. "I'm no longer packing to go to Sakurai; we've been reassigned a mission to Suna."

Naruto stared at him for a moment, blue eyes widening. "Suna?" he asked, voice deceptively casual. "What's the old hag sending your team to Suna for? They'll die of heatstroke halfway there."

Cold eyes regarded Naruto. "Are you implying that my team is not sufficiently trained?" He asked. "If they aren't, it would fall on you, wouldn't it?" He asked with a smirk. "After all, you're the one that ha(r)d charge of them before they graduated from the Academy."

"Bastard." Naruto muttered, but it was half hearted at best. He lifted a hand to comb through his hair, but as he did so, Sasuke noticed something…odd. Almost a flicker of movement hovered near Naruto's hands, and Sasuke stared at it for a few moments. He tried to pinpoint it, but he finally dismissed it as a shimmer of heat.

"When do you leave for Suna?" Naruto was obviously digging for information, for some reason that Sasuke couldn't fathom. It could just be casual conversation—after all, he and Gaara were somewhat of friends. Sometimes I forget that we're friends as well. Sasuke had never been one for talking casually, but then again—Naruto always had some reason for asking something. Neither one of them were adept at just…talking.

"Early tomorrow morning." Sasuke tightened the straps of his pack, checking to make sure that they wouldn't fall apart and the weight was comfortable for the trip. His claws flexed slightly, almost slashing the pack apart as he tried to keep from showing his increasing frustration over Naruto's lack of reaction to his changes. It had been months and Naruto still hadn't said anything. "We should make it at the borders by nightfall when it’s coolest to travel the desert area."

Naruto couldn't help but grin at the bland tone. It was going to get freezing in Suna at night, and he hoped that his students studied up on the climate so they would be prepared. "I'm sure that they'll appreciate your thoughtfulness." Naruto said dryly.

Smirking, Sasuke tossed the pack into the corner to await retrieval in the morning. "It's better than walking across the desert sands in the middle of the day," was his reply. "They'll thank me for it after we get there. But it's not a pleasure trip, Naruto. It's a mission and my team will learn quickly how to treat it with the seriousness it entails." His expression easily spoke of how idiotic Naruto was acting.

Naruto snorted at the arched look that Sasuke gave him. "I think they can handle something like that," Naruto muttered, rolling his eyes. "After all, you didn't exactly slouch in teaching and I'm taking care of the rest. Now, if you'll get out, I have to finish preparing and debriefing my team for tomorrow."

Naruto rolled his eyes but left Sasuke to his own devices without much protest. He had his own plans to make.

~

The first of which was writing a note to Gaara, who had to know of Sasuke's pending arrival. He knew Gaara a little too well to not warn him from saying too much. There was always a chance that something would slip…

Pulling out a piece of paper and a pen, he quickly scrawled Gaara a message.

When Sasuke comes, don't tell him anything; he's not allowed to know.

It was short, but sufficient—Gaara would understand the message and hopefully honor the request. Naruto made a face. It was really going to be a mess if he didn't. Creating the proper seals for a summoning, he handed the note to the messenger that appeared, bright eyes regarding him with undisguised curiosity. "Take this to Gaara in Sunagakure." He requested. "It's urgent."

There was a nod and no cheeky reply this time—something about Naruto's tone or the desperation in his eyes must have signaled the seriousness of the situation. With a quick bow and a wave, the messenger vanished in a puff of smoke.

Naruto paced back and forth, hoping that Gaara would reply soon, that it would be favorable and the irritable messenger to Shukaku would actually listen to him for once. There was no telling with Gaara, he was as unpredictable as they came—temper, mannerisms and next move included. Sighing, Naruto flopped down in a chair and waited for the reply.

Things were moving faster than he anticipated—Sasuke's ears and tail had only served to make his own problems a little more…visible. If he wasn't careful, it he didn't watch himself—Sasuke was going to see more than he should. Time goes by faster when you're moving with it. He thought sourly.

He was about to start pacing again when a puff of smoke announced the arrival of his messenger with the return reply from Gaara. "Good luck," was the only thing Naruto heard from it before it vanished again. He slowly unrolled the paper and grimaced at the contents.

I'm not bound by those rules, Naruto. I don't have to listen to your orders. The reply was as simple and straight forward as the original message, and Naruto swore violently. Arrogant bastard. The pair sailed in an arc toward his trashcan after Naruto crumpled it up in disgust. Who does he think he is?

He couldn’t go to Sunagakure without raising anyone’s suspicions, especially Sasuke’s. Naruto would have to wait until Sasuke came back or he kept up a running commentary with Gaara and what he was doing.

It was going to be a long couple of months, but at least he didn’t have to worry about the travel time. Sasuke was going to be pissy and irritable as usual, but at least he would be as ignorant of the situation as he currently was. It was only that week or so they would spend in Suna that was worrisome.

Running a hand through his hair, he decided to tackle Sasuke once more—pissy attitude or no. Under the pretense of ‘reminding’ him to warn his students away from some of the stranger aspects of Suna; he would warn Sasuke as well.

~

“You know what to expect when you get to Suna, right?” Naruto was perched on one of the training posts near his former students, looking them over critically. Sasuke was leaning near him and gave a snort at Naruto’s words.

“I think I know Suna well enough that there won’t be any major surprises.” Sasuke said dryly. “What is the point of this, Naruto? You interrupted a mission briefing to tell us not to wander off in the desert?”

Naruto rolled his eyes. “Not quite, bastard.” He poked Sasuke in the side. “I know that you’ve got a newfound kick for exploring temples or whatever, but I want to advise you not to go off and visit the temples in Suna. There are a lot of them there, well preserved and running quite well.” He paused for a moment and took a deep breath. “And since cats seem to have taken a liking to you…” This in response to the cat twining around Sasuke’s legs at the moment. “…then it’s safe to say there won’t be any temples in Suna that will let you in—they’re all dedicated to Shukaku.”

Sasuke gave a start at the reference to cats liking him and then about Shukaku. “That’s the demon that was sealed inside of Gaara!” He protested. “Why the hell do they have temples to him?”

“Why do they still have temples to Kyuubi in parts of the Fire Country?” Naruto countered. “Some people still have respect for the old gods. It’s not just ninja that run everything, Sasuke. The civilians have their own ways of dealing with life.”

Daiki blinked in confusion at the conversation. “Why are you so surprised, Sasuke-sensei?” He didn’t think about his words, but then again, Daiki rarely did. “Just because they hurt people or others forgot about them, the gods are still there.”

Naruto looked a little surprised at the unexpected words and gave Daiki a closer look. “Let me guess, your family did priest-duty a few generations back.” He grinned. “Grandma never let you forget it?”

Daiki nodded as he rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, both Grandma and Granddad—something about how important everything is and not to forget where we came from.” He shuddered faintly. “But I still don’t want to go visit a Shukaku temple. Granddad’s granddad served in the Nekomata temple before it was abandoned.”

Naruto nodded as if this made sense and smiled faintly. “So keep the rest of your teammates out of the temples, Daiki. I’m counting on you.” He gave Sasuke a(n) serious look. "I know you too well, Uchiha. Don't do anything stupid that'll get your team hurt. The temples in Suna aren't as nice as the ones that we visited in Sakurai."

"Don't worry, Naruto; I don't have an insatiable curiosity like some people I can name." He smirked. "I wasn't the one who got caught spying on Tsunade-sama." Naruto snorted and ignored the parting shot, giving a quick wave before heading off to leave them to the mission briefing.

Sasuke scowled at Naruto's retreating back. "Now, before we were so rudely interrupted…" His students gave him the same, wide grins that Naruto had earlier, but they had the sense to not say anything.

"As you already know, we have been asked to deliver a missive from our Hokage to the Kazekage of Sunagakure. The information inside is very important and speed is necessary. If anyone tries to take the scroll from you, employ all means possible to avoid it from leaving your hands. Do you understand the terms of the mission?"

Everyone nodded, the smiles slipping into more serious expressions. None of them had to kill during a mission, but with Sasuke as their team leader, they were slowly getting trained for longer, more dangerous missions.

Sasuke wasn't one to linger over the mission details, either. "Good, now go home and pack accordingly to the climate; if you haven't studied or researched enough for it, it is your own fault." He paused and debated with actually giving them the next piece of advice. They should know by now…"If you are deficient in one area, your teammate may not be. I expect all of you to work together to make up for any shortcomings. Dismissed."

As they scattered to hurry with last minute packing or ask the advice of a more seasoned shinobi, Sasuke finally allowed himself to relax against the training post, rubbing his temples with one hand. He was becoming increasingly frustrated with the unexpected changes to his body and the way he reacted to things. It was unpredictable and he couldn't plan for it.

Even though Naruto warned him against visiting the temples in Sunagakure—he was going to find an answer somehow. Naruto knew more about Suna than he did, but Sasuke needed to know, and he wasn't going to wait until things were irreversible.

~

To Sasuke's surprise, Riko, Yuuto and Daiki all managed to pack correctly for Suna. Either they shook Naruto down for information, or they actually did their research. Suna was one of the harder places to pack for, since the climates did change so drastically, depending on the time of day.

Although he couldn't help the small smirk on his face as his team realized just how much sand got into everything—equipment and bedding and clothing all had a fine layer of sand spread over it and in any crack it could find. It lessened the annoyance of how the fur on his tail and ears seemed to soak up the heat more than his hair or clothing did. Even meeting with Gaara was actually a welcome experience, since he knew very well that the Kage tower was equipped with air conditioning as a concession to the intense heat outside.

There was some grumbling and complaining from all the sand—if you weren't careful, it even got into your food—but on the whole, his team was quiet and focused on the mission itself, even if it wasn't a very hard one. Genin were only allowed to do so much, even with Sasuke trying to finagle his way into getting assigned harder missions.

No major difficulties occurred, only a sprained ankle from Yuuto and even that wasn't severe. The team cheered up considerably when they were let inside the office of the Kazekage and delivered their scroll.

"Stay the night and get supplies for the return trip." Gaara's gaze was steady as his eyes moved over the team and took note of their sandy hair and wind chapped faces. "There are rooms already available for you, one of my staff will show you to them."

Just as Sasuke was about to join his team, Gaara motioned for him to stay. "I would like to talk to you later, Uchiha." His expression and voice didn't change. "There are some things that we need to discuss before you go back to Konoha."

Sasuke gave a curt nod, understanding that if Gaara initiated the offer to talk, it wasn't something to turn down. "I'll be back after I get my team settled." He and Gaara never got along very well before Sasuke left for Orochimaru, but their relations were strained at the best.

Whatever Gaara wants to talk about, it better be worth it.

~

"Don't you like the Kazekage, Sasuke-sensei?" Yuuto's voice was muffled as he bent down to take off his sandals. "You gave him the weirdest look when he asked you to come back." Riko and Daiki were already at the baths, but Yuuto hung back to talk to Sasuke, curious as to the look their teacher gave the leader of the Wind Country.

"We knew each other when we were younger." Sasuke's voice was short and to the point. "Gaara and I were different people then, so some of the old animosity may still be there." And the fact that I betrayed Naruto and my village, and drew his siblings into a dangerous situation when they tried to retrieve me doesn’t really help. He didn't voice that last thought out loud. "Not that it's any of your business," he said crisply. "Now—you and your teammates are to stay here until I get back. I shouldn't be long."

Yuuto made a face as Sasuke left him alone in the room, but shrugged it off. Their teacher was always a bit short with his words and quick with the scowls, but they were used to it by now.

He couldn't help but notice it seemed more self-directed these days, though…He never had much patience with people in general, but with everything happening in the last few months, his patience, even with himself, was at an end.

~

"So, Uchiha…" Gaara's eyes were serious as they looked him over. "It seems that you have gone through quite a…change." There was no mistaking the slow smirk on the Kazekage's face as Sasuke gave him a blank, disbelieving stare. "What's the matter, Uchiha? Your new ears not letting you hear properly?" Gaara wasn't one to drag things out, but he wasn't above pushing Sasuke's buttons, either.  

"You know about what is happening." It wasn't a question and the words were almost an accusation. That someone noticed and knew what was going on—the first person that didn't deny it—Sasuke didn't know whether to be grateful at the sign he wasn't going insane, or annoyed because it was Gaara of all people that was the first one to comment on it. Gaara simply raised an eyebrow at the tone and gestured for Sasuke to sit, which he did so with annoyance.

"To answer your…question…yes, I do know some of what's going on with you." He held up a hand to forestall the angry outburst from Sasuke. "But do not expect me to explain everything, and you have to have an open mind." This time the gaze was direct, speaking for itself.

Sasuke snorted and crossed his arms over his chest, ignoring the way his tail twitched back and forth. With the amused look in Gaara's eyes as he followed the movement, he had no doubts that the former tanuki holder really did see something. "So what's going on?"

"At some point, Uchiha—you must have had a run in with Nekomata," His eyes narrowed at Sasuke. "since you don't seem to be aware of why you are turning into one of  the messengers." There was a thoughtful pause. "What did you do to piss off the cat god?"

There was something off about Gaara's tone, as if he knew more than he was letting on, but it was hard to place Gaara's moods and expressions at the best of times. Sasuke scowled. "I never heard of Nekomata until Naruto and I visited Sakurai a few months back."

"Really." Gaara's voice was dry. "You are certain that you didn't come across anything else that pertained to him?" He tilted his head. "A village, perhaps? An old temple? Why were you in Sakurai, Uchiha?"

Sasuke stiffened and sat up straighter in his chair. "It seems that you know of some classified information, Kazekage-sama." His expression of apathy swiftly turned to one of annoyance. "How do you know it?"

Gaara tapped the scroll in front of him. "Your Hokage does deem it fit to tell me of certain happenings in your village if they happen to coincide with any of the people of my country." He frowned.   

Sasuke's cheeks darkened with an embarrassed flush. Of course Konoha wouldn't be the only people that came from that lost village. "I see. What does that village or what we discovered there have to do with my…changes?"

"I can only surmise that either in this life or a past one you angered Nekomata." Gaara threaded his fingers together and leaned on them, watching Sasuke with guarded eyes. "Some of us become willing …servants of the animal gods, while others are forced into the service."

"How do you know all this? Just because you were a vessel for the tanuki—for Shukaku…" His voice broke off at the angry stare Gaara directed at him. Gaara angry was something that daunted even Sasuke. Besides, antagonizing the Kazekage was not the best course of action.

"Naruto already knew of how my family offered me to Shukaku when I was a baby." Gaara's face and voice was expressionless. "Just because one is a sacrifice doesn't mean that they are helpless and ignorant of what the gods are up to."

Sasuke stared at Gaara in surprise, eyes widening slightly. "Your family…did this to you? Is it possible that my…that my family did the same thing to me?" His voice was still stiff with only a sight hint of hesitation. He couldn't imagine his family doing such a thing, but then again—as much as I loved my family, they respected power more.

"No, the mark on those are different. If you notice, I don't have ears and a tail." His smirk showed his amusement at Sasuke's expense for the added—and unwanted—features. "You however…" Gaara smirked. "You are obviously very strongly under Nekomata's power."

Sasuke scoffed slightly. "And what of Naruto? Is he like you—a servant of Kyuubi?" He couldn't imagine that; Naruto hated Kyuubi and the idea of being associated with him. He would have known if he was a servant of the fox god, and it was something that he would have eventually shared with Sasuke.

Gaara grew thoughtful. "Naruto is different," he said calmly. "You would have to ask him of what his connection is with kyuubi." For a fleeting moment, there was almost a look of pity in the pale jade eyes. "Don't worry about Naruto for the moment, because you will have to come to terms with Nekomata and the changes he has wrought upon you. No one else can see it but other servants or vessels of the gods for now."  

Sasuke read the unspoken implication. "But soon everyone will be able to see it?" He raised an eyebrow. It sounded rather dramatic and unlikely. And can Naruto see me? Is that why he was acting so strangely? Granted, Naruto was strange all on his own, but…I must have missed something…

"Perhaps, but there is a chance that with the marks Nekomata placed upon you, he has much grander plans for you." He seemed to shift gears suddenly, catching Sasuke off balance and out of his musings. "Now, tell me if you've had any dreams lately. This may be able to answer some of your questions." His look was grim. "I have access to more information than you do at the moment."

Sasuke nodded curtly and began telling Gaara of the fragments of the dreams he remembered. There wasn't a lot of it; his recollections of the dreams were sketchy at best, all for the one where he and Naruto were closer than they had ever been. And unless Gaara is a closet pervert, he does not need to know all the details of that one. He told of talking with Naruto and of the impending festival in the dream and the feelings associated with it.

Gaara's expression only flickered slightly when Sasuke brought up the festival, and was silent for several moments after he finished talking. Finally he sighed and looked out his window, obviously trying to decide what he was going to say. "I don't think the dreams are over, Sasuke…there is more to this that you haven't found out yet, and I can't tell you anymore."

Sasuke stood up slowly and narrowed his eyes at Gaara, not to be put off by the evasive answers. "You've hardly told me anything, and gods don't exist in the way that you say they do." His voice didn't rise in pitch or volume, still carefully controlled through his anger.

Gaara looked untroubled by Sasuke's statement. "Give it time and you'll realize they exist, Sasuke. A human, no matter how powerful, cannot change your innate nature in the way it has been changed. I have nothing more to say to you." There was that almost-flash of pity again. "It's not going to be easy, Uchiha." 

Sasuke snorted and shook his head. "I'll find my own answers." And since he wasn't entirely ungrateful, he managed to grunt out a thank you to the Kazekage before he left to retreat back to the offered rooms and think about what he learned.

~

Gaara sighed after Sasuke left the room, covering his eyes with one hand. He wasn't as closely tied to Shukaku as Naruto was to Kyuubi, and he could stretch the rules a bit. It wasn't fair to Sasuke to be ignorant of what was going on with him, but he also knew that Naruto was unable to tell Sasuke without serious retribution. It was his way of helping Naruto out, to give advice where Naruto was unable to.

Even if it was to Uchiha Sasuke.

~

His team was rather disturbed when the first object flying across the room, slashed marks in the pillow. It was the least dangerous item that was thrown, and when the kunai sailed across the room in the same fashion, the team took cover underneath the bed. Various weaponry, including more kunai and the occasional shuriken were sunk almost all the way through the wall with the force of Sasuke's throws. It was as if all the frustrations, the confusion and changes over the past few months had finally built up to a breaking point and Sasuke felt like destroying something over the lack of an outlet for it all.  

He normally wouldn't have taken out his frustration on the room, showing a lack of control in front of the team he was training, but he didn't want to go outside, either. Fighting the heat and sands of the training grounds at Suna wasn't something he wanted to deal with, especially since the fur on his tail and ears seemed especially averse to the weather outside.

"Um…sensei?" Riko peered from the side of the bed. "We were talking about visiting some of the buildings in the area to …fill in our gaps of what we know of Sunagakure." Her wide eyes followed the path of another kunai before flicking back to Sasuke again. "Would you…ah… come with us? There are temples…"

At the word 'temple', Sasuke's head shot around and he stared at her, an almost alarming look on his face before it smoothed into the blank expression they were all more familiar with. "I think that's a good idea." It was almost eerie at how calm his voice was, as if he was teetering on the edge of something that no one else could see. "Lets go do that now."

There were scratches on his hands and the wall was filled with weapons, but Sasuke acted as if nothing had happened as he pulled them out of the wall and put them back in the pouches they belonged in. "Hurry up, we're not going to be out all night." His team scrambled to follow him out the door, not wanting to find out what had made their normally apathetic teacher so upset.  

They had grown to care for him, in the same way they had for Naruto. He was prickly and cold and pushed them harder than the ever worked before, but he was their teacher and part of their team. He was never so cold to them before and they knew something was very wrong.

~

As the wind blew sand into their path Sasuke adjusted the scarf over his face so that he could breath easier. The dying sunlight shifting over the dunes of sands made a strange and unusual sight and more people roamed the area than they had seen during the day. Some were ninja but most were civilians, not giving the visiting group a second glance as they hurried by to complete their tasks before the temperature dropped completely. 

"We're not going to visit every last place in Suna." Sasuke's ears flattened against his head to prevent sand from getting into them and as a result, he couldn't hear Riko's reply that clearly. "…visit…temple…"

He turned and blinked at her through the goggles he wore to protect his eyes and gave a quick nod. No matter what Naruto said about the temples, he wasn't going to avoid them just on an idiot's say so. There hadn't been a good enough reason given and he'd be damned if he would turn away the chance to find out more answers.

It was a relief to step inside the temple and lift his ears up, flicking them back and forth to get the feeling back into them. A temple dedicate rushed up to meet them as soon as they stepped into the door, but stopped dead at the sight of Sasuke. "Master!" He wailed, turning the other way and running full out, calling for someone. "There's another messenger here!"

Sasuke's body froze as one hand curled into a fist, claws digging into his own skin as he controlled his expression. His students gave him curious looks before walking slowly ahead, eyes moving over the various carvings in the sandstone walls of the temple. Their visit to the Nekomata temple hadn't yielded much, as most of it was destroyed—this was much more interesting to at least two of them.

Daiki was the only one that hung back, moving closer to Sasuke as if his presence was more calming than the temple itself. Sasuke let it go for the moment, the temple was making even him twitchy and he wondered if there was any credence to the story that he was a so-called 'servant' of Nekomata.

"I don't like this place, sensei." Daiki didn't care that he was showing his uneasiness so blatantly. "Naruto-sensei said that we shouldn't come here and I don't think the god here likes my family's connection to Nekomata."

"Ah… but someone else has a much deeper connection to the cat god, doesn't he?" Sasuke looked into the tawny gold eyes of the priest that accompanied the dedicate into the entrance and gave an internal hiss at the vibes he gave off.

Perhaps his secret wouldn't stay one for so very long after all.