Carnal Attraction


Author: Mask of Mirage

Rating: M

Comments: Sorry this chapter was so late in coming.

Mood Song: Chizuru by The GazettE


Chapter 2: October

"It's you, Naruto, it's you."

To say Naruto was surprised would be the understatement of the century. His train of thought had passed up Surprise Station long ago and was racing at breakneck speeds towards the Chasm of Paralysis.

Naruto had always imagined Sakura or some other kunoichi telling him they liked him, not some other guy! Least of all on that very, very, very short list would be Gaara. He was pretty positive he liked women, having been trained by the infamous pervert, Jiraiya. In Naruto's opinion, breasts were invented for the sole purpose of entertaining him.

Reverting his attention back to the matter at hand, he was surprised to see Gaara kneeling on the forest floor, his pale fingers sunk into the dirt on either side of him.

"I'm not sure what I should do, I've never felt something like this before," the Kazekage mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. Suddenly, he flung himself at Naruto, gripping his jacket. Naruto noticed he was shaking and this terrified him more than anything. He had never seen Gaara lose his composure like this; it was frightening. It was so uncharacteristic, so...unlike Gaara.

He was unsure of what to say to the trembling Sand-nin so instead he brought him up to eye level. He had to tell him the truth even if it ended up hurting the both of them. "Um, Gaara I'm flattered that you care for me…in that way, but I'm not gay. I like girls."

Gaara blinked slowly, allowing this new information to sink in. He moved his hand from the Naruto's jacket to his hand, interweaving their fingers. "I love you," he stated calmly, fixing Naruto with his green eyes. The Jinchuruki ripped his hand away and stood suddenly.

"No…it's not right. You can't love me because…it's not right. Look Gaara, you're one of my best friends and I do love you just not in that way."

Gaara looked away, fiddling with a blade of grass between his fingertips. Naruto was torn. He didn't want to disappoint his friend but neither could he see Gaara in that light. "I'm really sorry," he added as an after-thought before disappearing into the trees.

As soon as he was sure Gaara couldn't see or hear him, Naruto began to run. He paid little attention to anything else other than his steady breathing, the furious beating of his heart in his ribcage and the sound of his pounding feet reverberating in his ears.

Mixed feelings pulled at him from the inside, seemingly ripping him apart and leaving behind jagged edges that bled freely. He might have just lost one of the closest friends he was ever going to be fortunate enough to have. It was a painful reminder to Sasuke and it hurt. Frustrated tears leaked from the corners of his eyes but he didn't stop nor slow down till he was in the comfort of his own house.

It was only then did he realize he probably should've asked if the Hokage had worked out a place for Gaara to stay while he was here. But he was too exhausted to even get up from where he had falled prostrate on the bed.


The next morning found Naruto sneaking out of his apartment, eyes scanning wildly for any angered sand waves gone renegade. He wasn't sure if Gaara was upset with him or not but that doesn't necessarily mean he was taking any chances.

Thinking he would be safe in the crowded marketplace, Naruto pushed through the throng, deciding he might as well shop for groceries while he was here. He was in the midst of haggling a shopkeeper over the price of oranges when something strong and gritty latched itself on his wrist and jerked him backwards.

Sand. Not good.

Momentarily losing his balance, Naruto spun and tottered forward, his hands held out in front of him to catch himself. But before he could make a lovely introduction to the ground, a soft yet unmoving body caught him and held him aloft. Naruto already had an idea who this body belonged to so he kept his head down, avoiding Gaara's serious gaze.

"You're not looking at me in the eyes," the chest rumbled deep beneath him.

Naruto wanted to spout off something sarcastic like, "No shit, Sherlock," but he held his tongue just for the sake of not wanting to anger the bipolar 16-year old. It was only when Gaara set him upright on his feet did Naruto allow his eyes to lock with those of the Sand-nin's. He held in his gasp when he caught sight of the bare emotion clinging to those green orbs.

The dark circles on Gaara's lids seemed more pronounced somewhat and the long eyelashes fluttered tiredly on the alabaster skin of his cheekbones. His Kazekage robes were wrinkled and soiled with dirt and Naruto was pretty sure he saw a leaf peeking out from the wild crimson array that was Gaara's hair. He had never left the woods last night.

"You look like hell," Naruto stated.

Gaara managed to narrow his eyes before, without warning, pitching forward unconscious. Naruto caught the boy, lifting him effortlessly in his arms and raced to his apartment, after grabbing the bag of fruit he had purchased. He found himself grimacing at the slight weight in his arms as if Gaara was nothing but knees and elbows.

It didn't take long before he was back at his apartment and lowering Gaara gently on his bed. He debated on whether or not to wake him to bathe and eat but quickly decided against it. Sleeping was probably still very much a luxury to Gaara, having been plagued with insomnia for so long. He pulled a quilt up over the boy and left the room, leaving the door ajar in case he woke and wondered where he was. Originally, Naruto had planned on sparring with Kiba but since he now had a guest, he resigned himself to the couch, staring at the TV rather than paying attention to whatever sitcom that was playing.

It was sometime during S.H.I.N.O.B.I. when Naruto dozed off, his arm splayed behind his head, fingers tapping idly on the side of the couch.


Naruto jolted awake suddenly when he felt a strange weight shift above him. Strong fingers intertwined with his own that were still hanging over the couch arm. The smell of Naruto's body wash and a faint underlying of sandalwood assaulted his nose. Hesitantly, he cracked open an eye to see two identical pools of green staring at him intently.

"You're a heavy sleeper, it was difficult to wake you," Gaara murmured, shaking his head slightly.

Apparently he had made good use of the shower because Naruto felt cooling droplets of water on his skin, courtesy to the boy's still-dripping hair. Naruto stiffened beneath the scrutinizing gaze, realizing with a quiet sigh that Gaara was one of those people who were very stubborn with their feelings.

Gaara must have read his thoughts because he slid off slowly with more grace than any individual was allowed wearing an ankle-length robe. He even released Naruto's hand which he still had a firm grip on.

"Gaara…I'm-" Naruto began.

"Not gay, I know but…"

"NO, NO BUTS! I'm not gay, end of story!" he interrupted. Naruto immediately regretted his harsh tone when Gaara's gaze dropped to the seat cushions. "You need to rest more," Naruto commanded in a softer voice.

Gaara maneuvered his body to where he was sitting, facing the still-playing television. "I haven't been sleeping well lately," the Sand nin replied after a while. Falling silent once more, Gaara scooted to the middle of the couch and rested his head on Naruto's shoulder. Naruto stiffened but relaxed instantly; this was an innocent-enough position. He would allow Gaara this one.

It was a few hours later when Gaara decided that it would probably be best if he checked in with the Hokage, although he seemed almost reluctant to leave.

"Hey, we can go out to ramen later on," Naruto suggested, desperately wanting the frown on Gaara's face to take its leave.

The Sand-nin smiled wryly and suddenly brushed his thumb across Naruto's bottom lip before disappearing in a cloud of sand. Naruto remained frozen in his threshold, a wicked blush creeping up his neck. Frustrated at the teenager, Naruto slammed his door loudly, after saying a few choice words, regardless if Gaara could hear him or not. He was pretty sure a few of his neighbors could.

It was like teaching a child not to stick metal items in the electrical socket. Sometimes you felt like letting them do it just once, you know to learn a lesson. But on the other hand, you ended up paying the price by consoling the screaming child; not to mention having the ever-so-lovely shadow of CPS breathing down your neck.

Even so, he imagined what it would feel like. What would it feel like to allow yet another person to weasel their way into his life? He thought it nearly impossible after Sasuke. Then again, Gaara had a knack for making the impossible seem easy most times.

He decided quickly, right there, it wouldn't matter. He still had to take Gaara out for ramen, either way.


Author's Note: I know, terribly short and choppy but deal. I really want to jump back into this story because I love the pairing oh-so-much. But Phobia is my major concern right now and intend to spend all my writing time updating that.

No worries though, this fic is not abandoned.

Mask of Mirage