(Kiba P.O.V.)

I was laughing my ass off. Yeah, Naruto and Bushy Brows were going at it again. They were trying to beat each other at Guitar hero. The horrible ranging sound going through out the whole house was worth seeing those two challenge each other. It was just hilarious. How often did something make Chouji laugh so hard, he let go of his chips? Yeah, I am the master of parties.

I invited Bushy Brows, Naruto, and Chouji over to my place so that we could hang loose. We were supposed to meet up at a bar, but I didn't want to leave Akamaru behind. Where I go, my buddy goes; simple as that and anyone that begs to differ can kiss my ass and bark at the moon. I'm not allowed to be drinking anyway. Instead, we gathered up here. Chouji brought most of the food (he'll eat most of it), Naruto brought some movies, and Bushy Brows brought more food (he can actually cook good grub).

We haven't gotten to the movies. Moment Naruto saw the play station, he had to play (and be player one)even though he didn't know how and he had to drag Bushy Brows into it. I'm not complaining about it, though; oh no, the show Chouji and I are getting right now is better than any comedy I have ever heard of, much less seen.

I sighed, my grin slipping for a moment and my hand splaying across my stomach. Chouji had gotten hold of the chips again and was chowing down with an almost thoughtful expression on his face. He looked kind of sad to me. I didn't bother to ask why, though. The answer is obvious when Chouji is walking past you and it's not because he's following everyone's favorite pineapple head.

Sasuke, having had his ass kicked back into Konoha a few years back by Naruto, was away on a mission that stretched two weeks and was undercover. The first S-rank mission he had to leave the village to complete ever since his return. With him, he had taken Shikamaru and Shino. They were to meet the Kazekage in Suna, and that was all anyone knew about it. That had been one week, 4 days and...15 minutes from this very moment, seeing as it was 12:15 at night. Not that I'm countin' or anything...

I'm seriously not countin'. I'm just horny for my buggy boy. Damn, do you know what that boy can do with all those bugs? It was creepy at first, but being held down and knowing ya can't escape is a major turn on when the guy you can't escape from is your hubby.

we aren't married yet, but it's in the cards. Since we're both heirs, we were kicked out. It didn't last long in my family (it's a pack thing, can't stay mad for long) now I'm just not allowed to lead. In Shino's family, I know they're not taking him back (those stuck up bastards) but they let him keep the kakaichu. I didn't know that when you're disowned from the Abraume clan that they take back the bugs too. No wonder Shino didn't want to come out. But yeah, Daddy cares more than he lets on and the bugs stayed where they were. Thank God.

"Ha, Bushy Brows I'm beating you! I, Naruto Uzumaki, the next hokage, am whooping your ass!"

Bushy Brows was in Konoha because of some joint mission that went successful and Lady Tsunade ordered him to 'lay down and take a break, freak'. Bushy Brows was an envoy between Suna and Konoha and the Kazekage guy was very... watchful (cough, chough-possessive-cough) of his green-clad go-in-between. I don't think I wanna know why, though I've heard some rumors. I try really hard not to smell it too.

"Yosh, Naruto-kun. Your flame of youth indeed burns at its fullest!"

Bushy Brows made a sudden jam on his guitar that put him a few points ahead of Naruto.

"But my fire burns even brighter and I shall defeat you in the springtime of youth!"

Chouji and I snickered as Naruto got a look in his eyes. This was going to be so good. I think I have a video cam in my room...

*Time Skip- 5:00 am-Time Skip*

(Rock Lee P.O.V.)

Out of my three youthful friends (and one very fiery willed dog), Naruto-kun was the only one drunk. I do not know why both Kiba-kun and Chouji-kun refused alcohol. They had refused me any on the basis that it tastes terrible. I do not wish to test their sincerity. They persuaded me that it is much like my medicine, and I do not wish to have any. Many things I can stand by the power of youth! My medicine is another thing...

At one point or another, Naruto-kun began to sing in a slurred, rasping voice and I believed to encourage his moment of overbearing emotions! So I joined in on the song and Kiba-kun laughed (rather rudely) before humming beneath his breathe, as if hoping we would not figure out that he was singing as well. I do not know why he would take shame in knowing this song. It is a youthful number filled with the love and gratefulness of one person to another! Chouji-kun began tapping out a rhythm to our combined attempts and my pride in my friends grew.

(Celine Dion-Because you loved me)

For all those times you stood by me

For all the truth that you made me see

For all the joy you brought to my life

For all the wrong that you made right

For every dream you made come true

For all the love I found in you

Ill be forever thankful baby

You're the one who held me up

Never let me fall

You're the one who saw me through it all

Gaara had almost said something quite like this first verse of the song, only in a less romantic and much more straight forward and almost painful way. Anything else and I would believe it to be an imposter in place of the man I had fallen in love with. Gaara was what he was and that is what made him my special person!

You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn't reach

You gave me faith coz you believed

I'm everything I am

Because you loved me

This reminded me of what I felt for Gaara. I was believed powerless in a world of power. Yet, Gaara had never made me feel lacking. He had always helped me to reach every one of my goals and would defend me where I could not (even when I wished he would not). I could only hope I did the same for Gaara.

There were times when I could feel him watching me while I am not looking. It is as if he has a fixed fascination of me and I do not understand. He could have anyone! Power, beauty, and a heart filled with undiscovered gold of his denied youth should have anyone man or woman clawing at his feet. I hear people in the streets of Suna and Konoha and they do not understand why I am with Gaara after the time he almost crippled me.

They do not Understand! I could never hate him for that fateful match. It was a battle of strength against wit, and I still feel excitement dance upon my spine every time I spar with him. He gave me something without worth during that match: Respect. Not once during recovery did I ever accuse him of treachery.

I wish that they could explain to me why Gaara chose me out of the endless sea of people willing to share his bed. Only my closest friends seem to have ideas, but none of them fit what Gaara looks for in a person. To find what one thinks of you, you must go and ask them. That is exactly what I did.

I had been strong enough to be the first to touch him. For that, he tells me that he respects me. He sees my wish to prove myself in the eyes of others. This confuses him and so I fascinate him. I have forgiven him for a heinous crime, and have also gifted him my trust; he claims that that intrudes him. He does not understand why I do not fear him. I do not understand why he believes I should fear him. I know with absolute certainty that he shall never again strike me with deadly force.

You gave me wings and made me fly

You touched my hand I could touch the sky

I lost my faith, you gave it back to me

You said no star was out of reach

You stood by me and I stood tall

I had your love I had it all

I'm grateful for each day you gave me

Maybe I don't know that much

But I know this much is true

I was blessed because I was loved by you

The context of the words are meaningless, but the meaning behind those words is suspiciously like a conversation I had had with Gaara after I had confessed my feeling to him. It is truly amazing how Sabaku no Gaara (A.K.A. Gaara of the sands, past jinchuuraki, once Shukaku container, Kazekage, etc...) is so easily startled.

Gaara is very easily shocked with most of the things I do, including the things I allow him to do to me (No, I am NOT blushing! That is merely the color of my youth showing itself!). Sometimes, I feel as if he is testing just how far I will allow him to go. He will stare at me with a focused gaze and questions in his jaded eyes, always as if he were waiting. Moments such as those, I would reach out and touch the only scar adorning his body and that seems to relax him and allow him to carry on with what ever...tasks... he was doing (Not a blush, the color of my youth, I swear or I shall run 500 laps around Konoha backwards!... 'sigh' I shall begin in the morning after this joyous meeting is at its' end). I wish I can show him that he is my special person and that I am not made of glass.

I continue singing to Kiba-kun's humming with Naruto-kun's high pitched, slurred voice. It sounded horrible, especially since I was not a good singer myself (I had once tried to serenade Gaara, but Temari-kun threatened me to never do so again and I respected her wishes-with quiet shame and apologies to Gai-Sensei-out of fear), but I felt proud of our joint attempts and Chouji-kun's upbeat tempo.

(Naruto P.O.V.)

You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn't reach

You gave me faith coz you believed

I'm everything I am

Because you loved me

'I don't even know how I know this song.' It was a fuzzy thought in my head and I couldn't really focus on it. It was a really girly song too. I wanna know how dog breathe knew it, he's humming to it, so he's got to know it. I'll ask later when the ceiling ain't dancing. Chouji was a doing a beat and I didn't even know this song needed a beat. Bushy Brows is bringing it all together.

You were always there for me

The tender wind that carried me

A light in the dark shining your love into my life

You've been my inspiration

Through the lies you were the truth

My world is a better place because of you

I remember dragging teme's ass back home. It was strange, the whole time I was whooping his ass to come back with me that last time, he didn't fight it. He just said that 'I'm ready' and 'this time, I will not fail'. Huh, course he was ready! I already knew the weasel guy was dead and Orochimaru is losing big time. He did what he said he would do and he didn't need the snake guy to make him stronger.

You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn't reach

You gave me faith coz you believed

I'm everything I am

Because you loved me

The night Sasuke-teme told me what he meant when he said 'I'm ready'. It wasn't 'I'm ready to come home, dobe.' It was 'I'm ready to start over with you, dobe.' I remember freaking out 'cause I thought that only boobs could get me going and Sasuke-teme had none of those. Then he locked me in his mansion and I still don't forgive him. Damn sexy, perverted teme.

The village finding out was painful. It was like I let Kyuubi out on them, they were so angry with me. Yeah, my friends were by my side for the whole thing and Lady Tsunade sent out a few threats to keep the peace. But it still hurt. I never give up though, and this relationship was what I wanted too! So I saw it through and had tried to not let Sasuke-teme see how hurt I was. He found out anyway.

The next day, nobody tried to attack me. That was strange, then I saw the looks. They were afraid of me? That was almost worse than them hating me! I didn't want them to be afraid. What kind of Hokage would I be if my own village feared me? Then I found out, they weren't afraid of me. They were afraid of what would happen if they hurt me. I had really wanted to be angry with Sasuke-teme when I found this out. But it hadn't stuck. Sasuke-teme loved me, and that was the best way another could ever prove it.

You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn't reach

You gave me faith coz you believed

Im everything I am Because you loved me

(Chouji P.O.V.)

I wish I knew how everyone knew this song except me. I'm not all that surprised that Bushy Brows knows it, but Naruto and Kiba do? That's just strange. I didn't want to be left out, so I tapped out a beat and it wasn't all that bad, I guess. Then my mind turned numbly to the depressing thoughts at hand.

I miss Shikamaru. We've had missions apart that stretched even longer than this, but I really needed to talk to him. There was a reason I haven't gone on missions for the past two months. I was a genie pig in some research that Lady Tsunade was doing. I don't know what made her decide that she was going to try and reverse the reproduction system so that guys could have babies, but she did. I'm having a C-section around eight months from now.

Shikamaru doesn't know yet (contrary to belief, I can keep secrets from him) and that's why I need to talk to him. He has no idea why I go over to Lady Tsunda's. I think only the guinea pigs: Myself, Iruka (Kakashi's in for a surprise), Kiba (I guess it's puppy instinct to reproduce) know about the experiment. Kiba conceived four weeks before me. Shikamaru and Shino have no clue.

Shikamaru and I haven't been 'just friends' since we were chuunin, right after my recovery from the Sasuke retrieval mission. We've been more than just boyfriends since we were fifteen. Shikamaru and I are friends, boyfriends, and lovers. Companions, cloud watchers, and each other's mind reader. We've been told that we seem to have a conversation without even talking to each other, but that's just how well we know one another. There's no point in talking if you already know what they're going to say.

Im everything I am

Because you loved me

*Time Skip-6:30 am- Time Skip*

(Sasuke P.O.V.)

We spread through out the room. Each of us are searching for our individual prey that are to be found within this apartment. A chorus of snores came from the pull out couch. I could see a pair of green clad legs thrown over the edge of it. A tan hand was buried in the head fur of the dog, Akamaru, closer to the top of the couch. I could see a wild mane of hair against the wall facing the couch and could see the large bulk that classified the being as 'Chouji'.

My three comrades moved forward towards the couch. The heavily foliaged one, Shino, reached over the edge first to pick the dog-nin up and carry him down the hall. He turned slightly to nod his head at us in farewell. Myself and Shikamaru returned the gesture. The kazekage ignored it and made his way down to the guy hanging off the couch.

Seeing as how Lee was still fully dressed, it was most possible that he was also wearing his full set of weights. I watch as the sand twists the cork out of its container and curl around Lee. Gaara makes a few hand signs and was gone. I remember dobe telling me about their relationship and thinking it was just gossip. Who cares if the red head improved? He still tried to kill Lee twice. Naruto has a way of proving me wrong sometimes and it makes me wonder if he's smarter than he acts.

I connect eyes with Shikamaru. Wouldn't he have to be the third green beast of Konoha to pick up something that heavy? I never say that out loud, though. Naruto would make me sleep in one of the guest rooms and I was too used to his heat already. I do not know how he does it, possibly chakra, but Shikamaru lifts Chouji over the edge of the pull out couch and walks out the door as if he were the shadows he played with: No sound, yet again. I wonder why he doesn't jutsu himself home? It's none of my business, so I continue my visual search for my own target.

My gaze focuses on the armchair pushed into a corner by the pull out couch. My blonde idiot is resting on it. His face is illuminated by the TV. I walk over and pick him up. Holding him high to my chest, I thank him for my second chance. Does he think I don't know about the argument he had with Lady Tsunade about lightening my punishment? I also thank him, as I make the hand symbols to poof out of here, for giving me his heart. As I leave there and appear home, I thank him for surviving the village's ignorance. Because my heart is not so cold when I'm with him.

(Shino P.O.V.)

I change my lover into his pajama bottoms. He continues to snore, unaware of the three other people who had entered our residence with me. He would catch their scent in the morning and ask what happened and I will tell him the truth.

We had completed the mission early by nearly three days. It went successful, though I can share no other details. The Kazekage returned with us, I believe it was to collect Rock Lee.

Returning home to our apartment, I had not expected all four of our companions spread through out my and Kiba's living room. I had sent out three scouts to direct my teammates to their significant others. We entered through the door together. I left the others to take their lovers while I took mine back to our bedroom.

My fingers trace across the skin of his abdomen. I have noticed the slightest of changes occurring within this body and my kikaichu have confirmed it. Something was growing within Kiba. My first assessment was that it was something dangerous to the dog-nin's health, obviously. My second assessment lead me to the Hokage's office for a debrief of what she was doing to my lover. Kiba has neglected to tell me that he is part of a male reproduction experiment as well as Chouji-san and Iruka-san.

Within several months, Kiba and I shall have our first child. If everything runs smoothly. I have been planning ways to make sure that the pregnancy is successful. Failure is not an option in this case. Lady Tsunade made this very clear.

Stripping to my underwear, I slip under the covers with the unconscious man that I happen to love. As strange as it is and as different as we are from each other, I would not trade this puppy for any inheritance my father offers me. He shall never make me let go of my teammate, companion, and lover.

(Shikamaru P.O.V.)

Chouji thinks I don't know about the pregnancy.

Tsch, how troublesome. I've known him to long for him to keep secrets from me. Even if I hadn't seen the folder stating the experiment and his info clipped in with it, I would have pieced it together soon enough. Chouji not having any missions, long amounts of time spent at the hospital, a larger intake of food (Yeah, I can tell when he eats more than usual).

I'm positive that we've conceived by now just by his body language: A softer edge to his face stating lost tension, a hand folded softly over his stomach as if to protect something, eyebrows drew away from each other as they usually are when something awesome has happened... Chouji and I have been together for a very long time. There's nothing we don't know about each other.

Removing the armor is not as difficult as it seems. I've done it often enough. After all, Chouji didn't go into a reproduction experiment chaste. Neither of us have been a virgin for five years. I've had practice with the rust-colored plates and the clothes that are worn beneath it.

I lay him down in our bed. We live in an apartment halfway between the Nara deer park and the Akamichi complex. Our families accepted that this would happen. My dad saw it coming long before I did, possibly the first time I took Chouji into the Nara woods. It was also where our first time was.

I don't know when Chouji's dad found out. What I do know was that he wasn't nearly as shocked as he should have been when we came out to both of them. The big man had smiled and said 'so, you finally figured it out, Shikamaru?', and my dad had been more than happy to add in a few digs as well.

Chouji was blushing red the whole time, and I thought it too tiresome to wait till we got home to lean over and kiss him. I also didn't bother to leave the Akamichi complex, where we had made our announcement, to go home and do what I wanted to my butterfly.

There's a large chance that the look Chouza got on his face was killing rage. He still hasn't forgiven me for what I did with Chouji in his old room. Even after three years, he still looks at me like I molested his son in front of him, which is true.

I lay down beside the now naked Akamichi, and close my eyes. Tsch, how troublesome. How long does he think he can hold secrets from me?

*Time Skip- 9:00 am- Time Skip*

(Gaara P.O.V.)

I study our surroundings carefully. To our left, there's a bird persistent on singing. I am coming close to assisting it to the ground and keeping it there for the cats to find.

Lee has yet to wake up. By five am, he is usually active, yet he has yet to even stir out of his deep sleep. I had stripped him of his clothes, including weights, two and a half hours ago. I should not be able to keep him still at this point of day, yet he continues to rest.

What happened the night before to tire Lee? Did he consume any alcohol? I did not see any damaged property, and the few empty bottles I saw were spread in the direction of where Naruto was sleeping. None of them seemed to have come from the direction of the couch where Lee had fallen upon.

I had returned with the Konoha team to reclaim the leaf envoy. Lady Tsunade was not to have kept Lee here. If Lee needed rest, he could have taken his time off in Suna. He is due for a long vacation as it is. Does he not wish to return to Suna?

My eyes narrow at the thought as I continue to stare down at this genius of hard work. The map of scars are spread upon his entire body. How his face remains unmarked is a mystery. I allow one hand to reach out and trace the open mouth that was emitting silent snores.

The bird continues to call outside the window of the rooms reserved for the Kazekage and family.

I hunger for him, and I do not know why. I have never felt the need to be sexually active. Was it because he was the first to ever reach past my ultimate defense? Or was it about those moments where my chest would catch fire? Those moments where Lee is beneath and crying out for more even as he screams for mercy. Or those moments when all he does is smile. This smile is not blinding as he does with his beloved sensei, but a gentler one, meant only for me.

I can only watch and silently guard Naruto in his relationship with the traitor. With Lee, I allow myself entry between him and potential danger just as often as he does for me. We quarrel over this, over the right of who protects who.

As Kazekage, you would think you would know who would win this argument. Lee did not catch on. He believes, that as a jonin, it is his duty (he calls it a privilege) to throw his life away so that I may continue on.

As Kazekage, I should win any argument I enter, but Lee refuses to make such a thing easy on me. I cannot believe that he and Naruto never listen to me. It is as if they have an agreement that they refuse to tell me of. Why does Lee continue to believe that the only way he can show his care is to die?

I can't let him die, not ever. I need him to much. He is so deep within my heart, that I cannot even say love to him. Our relationship seems so much more than those three small words. How do they convey what I truly feel? They do not, not where I am concerned.

He shall not die, he will come back to me after every mission, or I will kill him myself. I would rather kill him myself. Take him in with my sand and hold him there till the day I depart this world, rather that then allow some incompetent to end his life where I may not be able to find his body.

My hands find and trace a reddish bruise on the chest of this magnificent specimen. I made this mark, before he even left on the mission. He allowed me to make many marks such as this across his entire body. They are truly a beautiful sight. They bring across the message of who this man belongs too. This is my Lee, and I will bring hell down on those who try and take him from me.