A/N: I can only apologize for the length of time this has taken me to get started on this again. However, my puppy has come running back with it's tail between it's legs. He has since learned the errors of his ways. I will try to keep the updates regular, every two weeks, but I can't promise it.

Enjoy.

A year after their first mission: September 24th

Gaara and Sasuke – 12 years old

Naruto and Minato – 11 years old

~*Sasuke*~

Sasuke glared at his brother in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"Come spar with me. I want to see how you've improved."

Sasuke slammed the front door of the house shut, dropping his gear as he stalked over. He didn't even try to curb the murderous intent flowing from him. He was bloody, bruised, ripped, torn…Kakashi was a fucking tyrant in training.

He had just gotten back from his weekend training spree with the Jounin, and they had a mission in the morning. He was looking forward to a quiet night at home, maybe a long bath, and a nice massage from Gaara. Maybe with some good sleep thrown in there. Is that really too much to fucking ask? A quiet night before the mission? You are a grade A asshole Itachi!

He lifted his lip in a snarl, and between one step and the next he was gone, landing a solid punch to Itachi's jaw.

Itachi rocked back, but Sasuke didn't stop, throwing a kick as he created a clone. Living with three other people who threw around Kage Bunshin like it was nothing helped him in the situation. Itachi didn't bother to check to see if it was a regular clone, and immediately turned to dispel it. In the distraction, Sasuke's foot landed a solid kick directly to Itachi's ribs. One cracked just as Itachi's fist went right through the clones head, and the elder flinched and danced back.

Sasuke took the moment to stretch and loosen his sore muscles, not missing the fact that his brother was probing the fractured rib tenderly.

"I see that you're serious," Itachi said with a small sigh, and the disappointed tone to it washed him in a haze of cold rage.

He knew that how he was now was a complete turn-around from what Itachi had grown up with. He used to be idealistic, seeing the world through rose colored glasses, always depending on Itachi as his 'aniki'. Depended on him for protection, for love…for happiness. The Massacre changed that though. Itachi had forced him to change. He had stepped on the glasses, dashed the happiness, and rescinded the protection.

Sasuke couldn't have been happier.

He had come to hate his older brother, not just for how he was treated, but for how Gaara and the twins were treated as well. It was like they were a chronic disease for Itachi. He often felt as though his brother no longer thought about him as his 'otouto' because he could understand and sympathize with the way the others treated killing.

How they acted might not be the standard apathy to killing that most shinobi adapted to, but it wasn't wrong. Every person who became a shinobi had their own way of dealing with the constant stress, danger, and death. The way the Jinchuuriki treated it had made sense to him. Why not enjoy the kill? Why couldn't they? The hunt may be a little over the top, but they never hurt innocents, and anyone they hunted was destined to die anyway. They made sure of it before they even began.

What it really came down to was that their beliefs and Itachi's just weren't compatible. Thus the emotions of disappointment and the rage in Sasuke. Itachi refused to even try to accept it, like Kakashi did. Kakashi wouldn't participate, but he understood that each shinobi had a different way of dealing. Itachi wouldn't even try, and he wondered why his Genin were drawing away from him. Why Minato was starting to withdraw back into his original shell.

He refused to understand, and Sasuke was tired of trying to make him.

His entire structure adopted a lazy, fluid stance, and he sneered when Itachi tensed. He swayed forward gracefully, and was gone. Appearing in Itachi's face with his matured Sharingan startling red, he stabbed upwards with his fingers, the tips encased in white green.

Chakra scalpels. A lovely little present from Minato for his birthday.

Itachi's eyes widened in shock as his body shot backwards and flipped, landing it a crouch with his eyes also activated. "You are very serious, Sasuke."

"I'm tired." He followed his words with a leap forward, grabbing the foot going for his head, and using it as a way to twist Itachi in mid air while aiming a toe kick for the side of his head. "I'm fucking pissed."

Itachi was able to dodge that one, and Sasuke's body screamed as a fist landed solidly in his stomach. Bile filled his throat, and he didn't resist as he was thrown to the grass. He coughed and spat some blood onto the ground, glaring when Itachi just shook his head and walked into the house without a word, leaving him there.

For the first time in a long time, he simply let himself shake with exhaustion. He was so tired of watching Minato and Itachi dance around each other, not quite knowing where they stood with the other, but unwilling to talk. Tired of being judged by people who were supposed to understand. Tired of seeing the worried looks Naruto and Gaara sent Minato and him.

Tired of how the twins were gone all the time because of it, Naruto with Kakashi, and Minato…well, he didn't quite know where Minato went. Naruto did, but was either respecting his twin's privacy, or Minato had asked him not to say anything. The only time they were really together anymore was during missions, and maybe afterwards. Itachi never joined them for that though. Both of them were turning into the people before they had met the other; cold, quiet, reserved. He didn't like it, and he knew his fellow teammates didn't either.

He let the autumn sun soak into his back, felt the cool earth under his body. Absorbed what he could until everything calmed down enough for him to push his body into a sitting position. He drew slow, deep breaths despite his throbbing midsection. Cringing he stood, collapsing when his right knee popped loudly, making the entire leg buckle as pain shot through it.

"Shit…" The word escaped in a hiss, and he closed his eyes again, slowing his breathing. He was ready to try again when gentle hands enclosed his shoulders. His head snapped up to see Gaara, a small frown creasing his forehead.

"Sasuke…let me help."

His brows snapped together and his irritation exploded, but was suddenly gone when he looked into the gentle, but demanding sea foam eyes. Damnit…

"Fine," he mumbled, and averted his eyes as Gaara helped him up, putting a warm arm around his waist. They entered the house and went straight up to Gaara's room, since his had the balcony. He hissed at a muscle spasm just as he was sitting down on the small couch.

Gaara simply shook his head and walked over to the closet. He brought out a thick pad and a few blankets as Sasuke slowly began to take off his clothing. As Gaara started getting everything together – this was going to be one of those massages – his mind wandered.

It had been an entire year since their team had formed, and the second Chuunin exam was fast approaching. Itachi refused to allow them to take the first one, on the basis that they hadn't received enough "real world" experience. While it was understandable, it had irked him and everyone else. Their record was damn near flawless, with more B-Rank missions then almost everyone else in the history of Konoha. There were a few exceptions, such as the Sannin, Kakashi's team…Minato's Genin team. The fact that they were beginning to be ranked up with names like those however, proved something all in itself. Still, Itachi hadn't let them participate. However they had decided to let it go, and see if the same thing would happen with these exams.

So far there was no mention of Itachi nominating them for these. It was beginning to make everyone antsy, especially Naruto and Minato.

"Sasuke."

He blinked the world back into focus and found Gaara standing right before him, a small smirk tugging his lips. He sneered and blushed, standing with some effort. He removed his shirt, and stopped. He was covered in sweat, grime, and who knew whatever else.

"I want to take a shower first."

Gaara frowned. "But I was planning a bath after."

"You can get a bath after. I just want to be clean."

Gaara shrugged and they went into the bathroom. Sasuke finished stripping and stepped into the tub as Gaara walked back in with a towel. He started the water all the way to hot, and scrubbed as quickly as his body would allow. Even with only half-ass warm water, he still felt much better when he stepped back out. Gaara gave him a pointed look and he rolled his eyes, forgoing drying himself and just put the towel around his waist.

He laid stomach down, gingerly resting his acing body onto the softness of the pads and blankets. Gaara kneeled beside him, and he watched with barely open eyes as warm cinnamon oil was poured onto the gangly hands.

He couldn't stop the small smirk. Gaara was turning out to be all hands and feet, but one couldn't rely on the fact that they looked clumsy.

As the warm, callous free hands – because of the Armor – slid with gentle pressure over his back, he exhaled deeply and relaxed utterly.

Gaara's hands were absolutely in his control.

Comfortable silence stretched between them, only interrupted by the sound of distant thunder, and the chirps of night insects. It was autumn again, and that meant the rainy season. Which he was fine with. The sounds of a thunderstorm had always calmed him. The quiet left his thoughts free to wander again, and they did.

He thought about the understanding that Gaara had come to with Shukaku. The training that Gaara was putting himself through. Much like the three of them, Gaara had been offered a one on one Jounin-sensei. Unlike them he had refused, and had begun showing up randomly to their various lessons. He was picking up bits and pieces from every fighting style. He usually sat and watched for the first half, and the second, he asked to join in. This last time, he had sat in with Naruto and Gai, and had started developing his own variation of the close-range taijutsu that the 'Beasts of Konoha' used.

He had already adopted some of the speed techniques from Minato and Itachi, the strength and moves from Naruto, and the jutsu from Sasuke and Kakashi.

A thumb jabbed deeply into his muscle and he hissed, but didn't dare move. He had made sure to keep that knowledge floating just close enough to the surface that he wouldn't be surprised. If he moved, it would undo everything.

So he slowly tuned the pain out, and was relaxed even further when Gaara began to hum idly under his breath. He had always loved listening to Gaara's voice like this – soft, lilting. He knew they were original pieces too. He had found a few hastily written notes a few times, and knew it was his redhead's handwriting.

His head started swimming with the utter warmth and calm that was coating him, but in a good way. There was a question he wanted to ask though…

"Neh…what do you think the real reason is that Itachi won't let us take the Chuunin exams?"

The hands didn't even pause. "I suspect it has something to do with the way we treat killing. The four of us enjoy it, revel in it even, and he cannot understand that." Gaara paused and smoothly rolled him over, sitting on his thighs. He began the massage of his arms and chest and started speaking again, though more thoughtfully. Sasuke watched with lazy amusement at the subtle quirk's of thought that no one besides their small family would see.

"Itachi's body was made to be a shinobi, but his mind was not. There needs to be at least some form of apathy or enjoyment of this life to even stay sane. To keep doing what we do. I'm sure he understands this…" Gaara stopped the massage then, and frowned blindly at his hands. "Sometimes…I think he believes we have no humanity because of it, however."

Sasuke sighed and raised an arm, stretching out a finger and poking Gaara's forehead. He blinked and looked up, so Sasuke let his arm drop. He agreed with Gaara completely on the assessment.

"Who cares what he thinks? We know how we are on the inside. So what if it's a little dark? We don't hurt innocents, and only kill those that were already going to die. Nobody else seems bothered with it."

"That they say," Gaara said with a small twist of his lips.

"Then everyone is smarter, and knows to keep their mouth shut."

Gaara snorted, and the massage continued. There was silence again for the next half hour, and Sasuke was just on the edge of sleep when Gaara spoke again.

"Time for that bath."

Sasuke groaned softly and clumsily tried batting away the hands that were attempting to lift him up. "Don't wanna…wanna sleep."

Gaara chuckled softly and managed to get Sasuke to his feet. He stumbled, cursing, as he was led to the bathroom. He barely remembered getting into the tub, but he definitely remembered the warmth that encased him, along with the arms around his chest. All the baths in the house were large enough for at least four people, and they took advantage of that whenever they could.

He simply floated, eyes closed as Gaara started humming again, a strangely haunting tune that was accompanied by the smell of rain coming in from the bedroom, and the quiet booms of thunder.

He started waking up when he realized that there was an odd charge in the air that had nothing to do with the thunderstorm. It was almost anticipatory, but dangerous…as though something was coming.

"Gaara," he asked quietly, almost afraid to raise his voice any louder, "Do you feel that?"

"Hai. Something is coming…but it's not a physical threat. Something is going to happen…"

Sasuke could only nod mutely, but with their mutual understanding, they got out of the bath. He couldn't help but admire Gaara's lanky, steel wired frame though as they toweled dry.

There were no more words as they curled up in Gaara's bed, and fell asleep to the sounds of nature outside.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Sasuke awoke with a gasp, tears in his eyes as his heart thundered in his ears. Closing his eyes, he pressed a hand to his chest, feeling as though it was breaking inside of him. He tried to remember the dream, but all he got was yelling, and then pain. Not physical pain, but the emotional kind. It was almost how he had felt the night everyone was murdered…

"Sasuke?"

He blinked and looked down at a muzzy eyed Gaara, running a hand through the spikier then normal red hair. It always amused the hell out of him when Gaara went to bed with his hair wet. It was slightly wavy towards the ends, but that usually went away as the day progressed, with Gaara constantly running his hands through his hair.

"It's nothing," he said quietly, and the dark green eyes narrowed, becoming sharper for a moment, before he shrugged. Yawning, Gaara slid out of bed and stretched, and Sasuke watched with amusement as he glared at the bright sunshine, before falling forward. He landed on his hands and immediately began to do rapid pushups. Sasuke groaned at the very thought of trying to do exercise, but he knew better. If he didn't, he would be stiff for the mission they had today. Granted it was supposed to be easy, but they had a bad habit of attracting danger.

With another, protesting groan, he also began to do his daily morning exercises, though slower until his tired muscles began to warm up.

Neither of them noticed the door opening until a horrified shriek echoed through the calm atmosphere.

"Teme! Gaara! For fucks sake, put some clothes on!"

Sasuke flushed and fell onto his face before scrambling up and using his speed to grab clothes and rush into the bathroom, slamming the door shut. As he dressed, he could hear the two talking.

"Wow. Never thought the teme could get embarrassed like that!"

"Shut up dobe!" he yelled through the door.

"Oooo…so fierce in your nakedness teme," Naruto said with a laugh. Then he shrieked. "Damnit Gaara! What was that for?"

"For making fun of Sasuke."

"I make fun of him all the time! And it's mutual!"

"So? Doesn't mean you can get away with it around me."

Grumbling. "You're such a bastard."

"Don't I wish."

There was a pause as Sasuke ran a wet washcloth over his face and hair, trying to get it in some semblance of order.

"You know the mission today is in Suna."

He paused at the dark suggestiveness in Naruto's voice. He had forgotten about that. Though just as quickly he felt his body heat up in anger. He didn't know everything that happened to Gaara while he lived in Suna, but he knew enough to hate the Kazekage.

"Yes, I know."

"We could take a side mission. A personal one."

Sasuke grinned at the mirror, and wasn't even worried with how bloodthirsty it was.

"We could. But it won't happen."

"Awwww, why not?"

"We're going to have a hard enough time when we meet the Kazekage convincing him not to start a war to bring me back. It would be a guaranteed war if we killed him."

"Gaara…"

Sasuke shivered at the smooth as silk, deadly tone. It was usually easy to forget that the bright blond took such enjoyment in torture and death. Until one heard his voice in that tone.

"No Naruto. We are not going to assassinate him." There was a pause. "At least not now."

"Alright, I can deal with that. As long as we get a chance at him sometime in the future. Oi! Teme! You're worse than a girl!"

He exited the room in time to see Gaara – now with pants on – grab Naruto in a headlock. "Don't you have somewhere else to be Naruto?"

The blond struggled out of the lock, and then gave them beaming grins. "Yep! I have to go get Kakashi, since he's our sensei for this mission."

That was another thing Sasuke had forgotten. Itachi had a solo mission that he had left on early this morning. As he put on his weapons and wraps, he absently wondered if it was a bad thing that he almost wished Itachi wouldn't come back. When there was no guilt at the thought, he smirked.

Apparently not.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Sasuke could feel Gaara vibrating with anger against his chest, and kept his arms tight around the red heads shoulders.

"I demand that he return!"

"You were the one that declared him dead. As such, you have no legal rights to demand his return." If Gaara wouldn't get pissed, I would kiss Minato right now!

"He is my son!"

"He is no longer your son. When you declared him dead, every tie – personal or otherwise – was severed with Suna."

Sasuke dared a glance over at the other members of his team, and almost sighed. Naruto was sporting a deadly glare and a scowl, his hand clenched so tightly into fists that blood was dripping from the wounds in his palm. Kakashi looked outwardly calm, but Sasuke could see the wariness in his stance. Minato was the epitome of cool and calm, and it was only from living with him that he could see how his shoulders were slightly scrunched, the small tic in the corner of his right eyes, a clear indication of intense rage.

This would have been so much easier if we could have just dropped off that damn scroll and been on our way. We all knew this was going to happen though. We didn't even bother changing Gaara's looks.

Then the Kazekage said the stupidest thing he ever could. "He belongs to me!"

Everything froze for a long moment, and then Gaara moved from his arms before Sasuke could stop him. Gaara stopped right in front of the desk, and his voice was cold and sharp.

"I don't belong to you. Before I left, you tried to kill me. Multiple times. After I left, you had me declared dead, your longtime wish. Now, you're jealous." The man opened his mouth, normal green eyes sharpening, but Gaara's sand hissed warningly in the gourd. Even after all the time that passed, Sasuke was pleased to see the man pale slightly and shut his mouth.

"You're jealous because you see now what my potential is. You hated me, you feared me, and because of that, everyone else did too. What I've become is because of my brothers and the only man I would ever consider a father."

Sasuke tensed as Gaara leaned on the desk, a thin, barely there wisp of sand coiling around him like a snake. His eyes were narrowed to slits, and Sasuke had never seen the almost manic, insane light making his eyes a sharp emerald. With a glance at the twins, he came to the conclusion that they had. Their eyes held the same light, though along with it was dark approval.

"You are very lucky that I do not kill you where you sit for the things you put me through." His fingers flexed, and the wisp of sand solidified as it meandered over to the Kazekage, almost lovingly caressing his neck. If the man was pale before, now he was positively ashen. "I would like nothing better than to snap your neck. Better yet, let Sasuke practice his genjutsu on you."

Sasuke activated his Sharingan a moment before the Kazekage looked over, and he smirked devilishly as the man turned a little green around the lips.

"Or give you to the twins. They delight in torture, and we've had long discussions about the things we could do to you." His smile was anything but nice. "Though I would like the pleasure myself, eventually."

He withdrew and walked back over, and Sasuke put his arms around the red head again, holding him close.

"Now, are we free to go? Our mission is complete, and you have no reason to hold us any longer. Your arguments are invalid, and if you try to start anything over this with Konoha, it will not be Konoha you'll be going to war with."

The Kazekage swallowed, but the arrogance returned quickly. Sasuke was pleased to see the fear never really left. "Then who would I go to war against?" he asked scathingly.

Gaara smiled thinly, and with a simple glance between them, they all knew what to do. Sapphire turned to crimson, teal changed to yellow surrounded by black, and his own chakra flared white. Anyone who saw it would think that he was Kakashi's child, since the Hatake clan was the only ones to have white chakra. However, the blue had slowly leeched from his over the past year since he had been training with Kakashi.

"Us."

As though timed, all their chakra winked out at once, leaving them once again normal. And the Kazekage was back to being ashen and bug eyed.

Kakashi had a shit eating grin on under his mask, and was nearly radiating smugness.

"Kazekage-sama, meet the new Sannin."

It wasn't until they were leaving Suna that night when it was cooler to travel, mission done and with a contract signed and witnessed that the Kazekage would no longer try to get Gaara back, that Naruto stopped everyone.

"Kakashi…what did you mean?"

Sasuke watched with interest as Kakashi flushed, and scratched the back of his head. "It was just an intimidation tool."

Minato snorted. "No it wasn't. We know you better then that Kakashi. If you said it, then there are either rumors, or you know something."

Kakashi looked at all of them, before flipping open his book. "If you want to know, you'll have to beat me back to Konoha. Without your wind seal." Then he was gone.

"Damnit! Now we'll never know!" Naruto whined, and Sasuke sighed. They all knew it was impossible to beat him back, so they didn't even try.

As predicted, Kakashi was waiting for them at the east gate, leaning against the post while the two Chuunin on guard duty watched him warily. They had even gone top speed, and yet and still, Kakashi had beaten them back. Probably before sunrise, which was the current placement of the sun.

Sasuke smirked as Naruto scowled and stomped up to Kakashi, arms crossed over his chest. Kakashi looked at the small blond over the edge of his book, and slowly, the one eye curled into a smile.

Naruto pouted. "No fair! Because of that, you have to treat to ramen!"

He and Gaara groaned quietly. "Can't we have something else?" he asked, nearly pouting himself when he got twin blue glares. "We have it nearly every damn day!"

"How about BBQ?" Kakashi inquired, and though the blonds pouted, they nodded. Sasuke successfully refused the urge to jump up and down in happiness.

They were getting something other than ramen! And they didn't have to pay!

"Though you suggested it, you're paying Sasuke."

He scowled. Well, there went that nice thought. He knew he hated Kakashi for a reason.