Author's Note: Hey all! Sorry this chapter is coming out a little late. I was dead tired last night after classes and work, and decided sleep was more important. Also, sorry if you were noticed about the update twice. I submitted the wrong chapter like an idiot.
Thank you to the small number of reviewers I have. I really appreciate that you took the time to drop a line. Hope everyone else is enjoying this.
Beta and Deadication: JorJor857 (I love you!)
Sasuke had decided to keep the recovery team in until the end of the week. One near death scare per week was all that was required. In the meantime he set up teams to work inside of the compound on repairs and improvements.
Ino and Shikamaru were instructed to expand the garden outside. They had found some new seeds awhile back, but never got around to using them. Now seemed to be an excellent time with the growing population of mouths to feed. Ino was almost two months pregnant.
Kiba was set up with communication repair and generator maintenance. He had been meaning to work on the intercom system throughout the warehouse, but never had time before. Plus he figured the generator was in needs of some tender, loving care.
All other personnel were busy going some kind of job when Sasuke approached Naruto in the hall of the living quarter. The blonde was just standing with his body leaning against the wall, staring at something in his hand.
"Hey, I need a hand repairing some of the fences and gates around the compound. You in?" Sasuke questioned, but frowned when he caught a glimpse of a girl. It was a photograph.
"Yeah, sure," Naruto replied, but his voice was low and he never lifted his glaze. Naruto didn't seem afraid to hide the photo so Sasuke leaned in next to him on the wall, looking over his shoulder at the women. The photo was of both of Naruto and her, smiling on a sunny day.
"Girlfriend?" Sasuke questioned, crossing his arms over his chest. He was confused as to why he was talking and not just walking away. He didn't like getting into stuff.
"Wife," Naruto replied. "She died awhile back."
"Infection?" Sasuke questioned, noticing how Naruto tensed. Then Naruto gently placed the photo into his breast pocket of his button down, nodding his head.
"Yeah, about a year in."
Sasuke nodded and pushed off the wall he was leaning on. "I know the feeling, my brother died."
Now realizing the he was actually being civil and releasing private information of himself, Sasuke quickly regained his composure. "But yeah, those fences aren't going to fix themselves."
Naruto smiled a true smile. Sasuke seemed to tint a little red across his cheeks and turned to storm down the hall. Naruto laughed and followed after.
After the loneliness of two years, Naruto finally felt the familiar beating of his heart.
Somebody,
I don't know what to do. I feel so guilty that I am running around this compound joyful, when my wife is dead. Is it true? Do you really move on? I just can't remember things about her like I use too. I can't remember the exact color of her eyes, or the perfume she use to wear. I miss her, but not like I use too. I'm so confused.
It's Sasuke. I've known for a while now. I don't know what leads me to him, but I find myself attracted to him. He is so different than anything I've experienced. He's cold and a complete smartass, but at times he can be so caring and gentle. Not to mention he is a man. I don't know what I'm feeling, maybe lust? But why would I lust for him and not one of the other women. Sakura's single, but I don't see her like I see him.
He's all I see. I sound like a love sick puppy.
-N
"Fucker, watch where you're hammering!" Naruto screeched and let go of the board he was currently holding up for the Uchiha to nail into place. Both men were outside of the warehouse for a second day fixing up some of the broken structures and boarding up fences.
"I wasn't even close to your hand," Sasuke glared.
Naruto had to admit, that look could be sexy. However, Sasuke was definitely better at shooting then he was at hammering. Naruto stole the equipment from the paler man and began hammering up the board himself. "I beg to differ. You almost took my whole hand off."
Sasuke snorted, and crossed his arms. Since Naruto had taken the liberty of doing the job himself, Sasuke opted to watch the blonde work. And oh what a site! Naruto's bare back flexed each muscle as he hammered the nail into place. Blonde hairs barely touched the nape of his neck, and his body was glistening in light moisture.
Sasuke almost slapped himself to stop the goggling that was occurring. Technically, Naruto was a married man anyway.
"You going to help me, or just stand there asshole," Naruto grunted, lifting another board into place.
Sasuke shook the dirty images from his mind and approached the blonde, helping him to hold the board into place. "I was helping until you decided I wasn't good enough, hypocrite."
"Big words? Good boy."
"Fuck you," Sasuke growled.
"Are you offering this time? Because you say it all the time and I'm getting mixed signals," Naruto grinned, finishing the last nail.
Sasuke rolled his eyes and punched Naruto in the arm, hard. The blonde howled in pain as the other stalked back off to the warehouse.
That afternoon Sasuke had piled Shikamaru, Kakashi, and Kiba into his truck for a scouting mission, saying they would be back later. Naruto tried to get in on it, but Sasuke did not budge. Apparently Ino had something she desperately needed to speak with him about alone.
He trudged his way over to her shared living space with Shikamaru and knocked on the door. A few minutes passed and she opened to revile herself in a blue cotton dress. She was starting to show through the thin material, and Naruto immediately lost the previous disappointment of being left from the team.
"Now don't you look beautiful," he commented, giving her an honest smile.
"Why thank you," she replied, opening the door to allow him entrance. Once inside, she closed the door and ushered him into one of the chairs in the room. The room was simple and small, with mix matched furniture, but kept very organized.
She took a seat in the chair next him, offering him some of the tea she had made and set out. Naruto agreed and took the cup she offered with a smile. "So what did you want to see me for?"
"Well, I know this is a little forward, but some of us have been noticing," she began, pausing to set her cup down. She sat back and placed hands on her small stomach. "Is there anything going on between Sasuke and you?"
Naruto chocked on the drink he was slipping, setting it down next to Ino's cup as he cleared his air way. "What?"
Ino looked sheepish as she continued, "Well, Sakura and I have been noticing some interaction between you two and I just wanted to talk to you about it. I mean there's nothing wrong with that, or maybe there's not and I –"
Naruto cut her off from the babbling. "Ino, I don't know." He raised a tan hand to run through blonde locks, sighing lightly. "I'm actually glad you said something. I've needed someone to talk too."
Ino brightened up, scooting to the edge of her chair. "So there is, isn't there?"
"Yes and no. I don't know. I've been feeling things lately," Naruto said, glancing to look at Ino. He noticed that he had her full attention and she smiled at him gentle to continue. "I was married before the infection. Her name was Hinata and we had a child together."
Ino frowned, reaching out to place a gentle hand on the blonde's knee. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."
Naruto nodded and took the picture out, handing it over to her. She took it carefully and smiled sadly at the photo, murmuring that the woman was very beautiful.
Naruto thanked her and took it back, replacing it. "She died about two years ago with the baby. She was… bitten. She turned and I killed her, but we both know it wasn't her anymore. That's why this is so hard. I've never had feeling like the ones I get with Sasuke. I feel like I'm cheating on her."
"Oh Naurto, you can't cheat on someone who isn't alive. Don't you think she would want you to be happy?" Ino asked, being careful around the touchy subject.
Naruto sighed, "Yeah, she would. I know she would, but I've never thought of a man like that before."
Ino giggled, covering her mouth with a delicate hand to quiet it. "Maybe your bisexual. Why don't you ask Sasuke out? Then you can see what you actually feel and what not."
Naruto seemed to consider this information, lost in thought for moments. Finally, he shrugged. "Why not? But how, we are kind of stuck here and what if he says no?"
Rejection was not something Naruto was looking for. Not to mention it would be extremely awkward around the compound afterward.
Ino seemed to be less worried about those details and jumped up excitedly. "Sakura and I can help you set something up! It will be so much fun!" She grabbed onto Naruto's hand and pulled him up into a hug. "Don't worry about anything Naruto. Just ask!"
From there some plans were made and Ino stated she would talk to Sakura as soon as possible. Naruto thanked her again. He left nervously to await the scout team arrival. As Ino had said, he might as well just ask.
Naruto waited outside by the playground for the team to return, but nothing happened as time went by. Soon the sun was setting and there was no contact with anyone. Naruto decided to head up to the communications room to see if he could get Sasuke on the radio.
Naruto entered the small room filled with cameras and electrical equipment to find Iruka sitting in Kiba's chair. He looked tired and worried as he raised the hand held radio closer to his lips.
"Sasuke, come in." The crackling sound on the radio was the only answer to his calls.
"What's going on?" Naruto asked, now feeling the raising panic in his gut. Iruka was surprised to see him standing there, but shook his head sadly.
"I haven't been able to contact anyone. The lines been dead," Iruka explained. Iruka let his head fall into his hands. He sat in despair for a few moments as Naruto approached and placed gentle hands on his shoulders.
"They'll be alright. Why don't we grab something to eat? They probably have bad reception," Naruto consoled. He was trying to hide his own pain as he led Iruka down the hall. Together they entered the dining hall and grabbed delicious, hot meals from Chouji.
Everyone seemed to notice that something was wrong. People ate in silence in the hopes of hearing the familiar truck pull into the warehouse yard. At first, no one noticed the sounds outside. At first, no one moved. Naruto was the first one up and out the door before the other's followed on his heels.
There, standing in the warehouse yard, was the team. Sasuke was yanking things angrily from the back of the truck, while Kiba ushered everyone out. That was when the new comer was noticed as Kiba helped the man to the door.
"New comer guys, this is Gaara," he stated as Sakura run up with the medical team. Tsunade, the big chested blond, followed her and barked orders to get Gaara checked over. She was the head of the medical unit and respected by many, so none saw a problem with moving to allow her through.
As everyone crowded around the new man, Naruto slipped out to talk to Sasuke. Kiba caught him at the door, inquiring where he was heading off too. Naruto explained that he needed to discuss some important information with the Uchiha.
"Listen man, I'm not going to stop you or anything, but he's not in the best mood. We got attacked again today. Got out by the skin of our necks." Kiba solemnly patted the blonde on the shoulder as he entered the warehouse with the rest of the group. Naruto stood just outside, watching the raven toss equipment around carelessly. Finally he broke, kicking one of the bags with all of his force.
His head was lowered, raven locks blocking the sight of equally dark eyes, and fists were clenched as Naruto approached.
"Hard day?" Naruto attempted light conversation, picking up a few of the items that Sasuke had thrown.
"Shut up," he whispered, still not moving from his spot.
Taking the hint was easy and Naruto sealed his lips shut. He stood awkwardly around as Sasuke continued to play statue, but eventually gave in. He approached the other from behind, wrapping lanky, tan arms around the pale man's build. Sasuke tensed and Naruto prepared himself for impact.
The expected punch never hit home as Sasuke relaxed muscle by muscle into the embrace. Naruto smiled, resting his chin on Sasuke's left shoulder. They stood like that for a good five minutes before Sasuke twisted his way out and Naruto reluctantly released. The blonde watched as Sasuke paced to the door and disappeared inside without another word.
Naruto was left alone to clean up the equipment mess.