Family Affairs: Chapter Eight

A.N: Okay so the majority of you guys were like "Noooo Sasuke where is Gaara?!" which is good because I have the next chapter written. But it's the last one I have written. :S Which unfortunately means longer waits on chapters. So updates may be longer and there will not be one every week due to lack of time to write. Soooo enjoy this chapter I have no idea when I will get around to writing the next. But I will try to have the next in a couple of weeks. It's my birthday next weekend and I still am recovering from my surgery so this all plays into time management.
- - melissaaax3

LAST TIME...

SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY!

Upon my insistence, my sixteenth birthday was not some grand party like my mom had wanted. I wanted something casual and fun. Something public, so I didn't have to deal with horny guys that wanted to get with the King's child. I guess it's also so I don't end up alone with Deidara-kun or Neji-kun. I have a weird feeling that just because I'm of age now they'll do something stupid, like ask my dad for my hand in marriage. Even Sasuke-teme has been acting strange these past few weeks. Damn bastard probably has some trick up his sleeve to make my birthday horrible. He won't succeed, I must use this get together to find my potential marriage partner. I won't fail.

Despite my attempts I do not think that I can marry Neji-kun or Deidara-kun. I do not want a loveless marriage. I know Deidara-kun loves me and maybe Neji-kun too. But I don't love them, and they deserve better. I'd rather marry Sasuke-teme then do that to either of them. At least then the lack of feelings would be mutual.

So, my birthday theme is a traditional Japanese carnival. I know eh? Smart. It's perfect because it's open to the whole village and not just the palace children like previous ones. I figure I can easily hide or stick by Kiba. He's the greatest best friend I could hope for. He doesn't treat me weirdly because of how I dress and he definitely has a knack for scaring away the creeps.

Then there is Shika. He's lazy but is the smartest kid I know. Plus, he always knows what to say to make me feel batter. He and Kiba were the ones to help me through this tough decision. Shika understood that I couldn't force someone into a marriage where they wouldn't be loved. He also made me realize that perhaps I could find love later on in the marriage and reminded me that as the Prince it is my duty to carry on the line even if it means being unhappy in a marriage. If I don't make a decision the council can force me into an arranged marriage. The longer I wait the more vulnerable I make myself to them. Shika gave me ideas on how to keep the council off my back. Public dates, rumors, and acting interested in boys for a long amount of time before the interest is diverted. It keeps them thinking that I'm at the settling point and they have no worries. Of course when I change to a different candidate it gets them right back on and I start over again.

Shino and Chouji complete our little group. Shino is quiet, disturbingly so. A little creepy because of his extreme love for all things insect but a good friend. Chouji loves food and his constant state of hungry is nothing short of hilarious. He's a real nice guy but if you call him fat he'll kick your ass. He introduced me to packaged ramen and oh my god. It's the same great ramen but it takes less time to make. You eat when you are hungry! Dad loved that one, ordered Chouji's dad, the head chef to stock the palace with a whole bunch. Mom says it's unhealthy for him and constantly hits him for it but he gets his way.

I think I could hang out with those guys during my party. I spend a lot of my time either alone or with them and it makes sense that I stay close to people so I don't make myself an easy target. Even though I know that is the smart thing to do I can't help but want to find some secluded place and think about things. There is supposed to be a park at the far side of the carnival for the small children to play at. I figure all of the children will be to busy at the carnival to want to play at the park.

I chose to wear an elegant yukata instead of a dress, considering the theme of the party. I picked a baby blue one with golden vines winding all over it in a complex design with a matching gold obi. The yukata went past my feet in length and the sleeves hung passed my hands, covering them like some dainty geisha. My hair, now to my but in length was once again curled and left in ringlets which looked "tousled and sexy". My mom has the weirdest ways to describe things. My make up was once again smokey eyes, some light blush, and lip-gloss. On my neck hung the necklace that Tsunade-bachan gave me for my birthday last year. I put on some moderately sized diamond studs, slipped on my sandals and headed out my bedroom door.

I passed Sasori's door and stopped.

"Itachi. What are you doing in my closet? You Baka-hentai! OI! Oi don't touch me! RAPEEE!"

I laughed loudly, which apparently he heard.
"Naru-chan save me!-If you come any closer 'Tachi, so help me god I'll throw this shoe at you!"
followed by,
"Itai. Sasori-chan I just want a kiss. Why do you have to be like that?"
which was answered with,
"Oh my god. Are you pouting? HaHaHaHa-Hey, let go. Can't you see I'm laughing? I just put that on, don't take it off!" and
"That's it! If you don't stop-no sex forever!"
"You can't do that" said calmly.
"Can too!" calmly as well.
"Can not" calmly again.
"Can too, Can too!" a little louder.
"Can not times infinity" very calm.
"That was cheap you-you cow!" angrily yelled.
"I win. Yay, sex" said with excitement.
"Ah-" Crash. Boom! And I'm off. Shaking my head and quickly hurrying down the hall, worried for my virgin ears.

Once at the party, after dutifully making an appearance I hurried to the park. Almost there, almost there-shit Sasuke! I quickly jump behind a onigiri stand. Peeking out I see Sasuke being attacked by Ino-chan and Sakura-chan. Hehe-sucker. Anyways, he can't get me now. I calmly walk past them, swaying my hips gracefully which I admit to exaggerating a little for fun. Using my peripherals, like any good spy I smirk victoriously at his stare and continue on my journey despite the glare it earns me.

I was right, the park is empty. Giggling in delight I run joyously to a swing. I sit down and pump my legs, swinging happily. I must have been swinging for a long time when I finally stop out of pure exhaustion and just sat there, occasionally kicking my feet back and forth. Standing up I shuffle over to the meadow part of the park and sit gracefully next to a flower patch.

PAGEBREAK-
I searched all over for him. All over. You do not understand the sheer mass of this place. That is a big feat for me. Especially since the party started three hours ago. Three hours and I still haven't found him. Grr... Where is my sweet, innocent, beautiful blonde? I have searched all over this god forsaken carnival with girls swooning over me. Damn Kankuro and Temari. They aren't good for anything. They can't even scare people away. No, I have to use my natural scaring abilities and do all the work myself. You think they could do something as easy as that right?!

"I'm leaving, I'll find you later" I state coldly, leaving Kankuro, Temari and the group of girls stalking me. Yes, STALKING. For all you delusional girls that think hiding behind bushes and making weird gurgling noises is not stalking you are stupid. That's right, I said it. You are one step short from dropping your pants and masturbating outside of your obsession's house. It is obsession, it is not love, and it is not admirable. It will not get you anywhere except in a prison full of butch women and sexually servicing a large woman named Bertha. My feet lead me away from the crowd, towards a desolate park. Yes trusty feet, you always know how to get me away from people. I hate people and my feet have never failed in eradicating me from awkward situations. In the case of people I don't like, the lead me away and in the case of stalker, they lead me away to quickly to be followed. Lastly in case of people who piss me off, they prove a good source of violence. I quietly entered the park, smirking at the sand box nestled between two giant oaks.

PAGEBREAK-

I was picking flowers when I noticed a red-haired boy enter the park. I didn't recognize him from the palace or the village, though it is possible he is a villager I didn't notice. The quality of his yukata indicated that he definitely was not a villager so I can only deduct he is from another village. It was blood red with black vines intertwining intricately up the length of it. He approached the small sand box and sat on the corner of it, providing me a peek at his unknown face and I caught sight of beautiful teal eyes beneath a red 'ai' tattoo of the same shade as his intriguing red hair. All in all, this guy was sexy.

Feeling bold I quietly got up and sauntered up behind him. "Aren't you a little too old to be playing in a sand box?" I chimed in a curious voice.

His head snapped around at lightening speed to look at me and teal eyes widened.

"Naruto..."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's me, do I know you?" I asked quietly, examining his face intently.

He stood up and walked towards me, completely ignoring my question. Why do I always meet quiet bastards? It seems I spoke too soon as his reply caught me off guard.

"Yes. My name is Gaara Sabaku. But dumb blondes prefer to call me Panda-chan" he replied casually.

I was about to shoot back an angry reply about him assuming I'm dumb because of my hair color along the lines of and what can be said about red heads when I came to a realization. I remembered where I've seen this guy before. My eyes widened and I gasped, circling him, evaluating his appearance, and comparing it to that of the little red-head I had once called Panda-chan. One thing was for sure...he was no longer a boy. I blushed. "I'm not dumb! Besides, I thought it was cute" I mumbled in response, mortification sinking into every fiber of my being.

He smirked sensing my great embarrassment "Is that the reason why you'd jump on me and follow me around?" he asked calmly.
I turned a darker shade of r ed. Damn bastard. I'd say his bastardness would rival Sasuke's. I crossed my arms haughtily. Fine two can play that game. "No I did that because I was crushing on you" I reply off-handedly.

I was disappointed when the only reaction my saucy comment received was a raised eyebrow. Wow there is another person who has mastered the Itachi Uchiha sex-eyebrow look.

I quickly spit out a response to cover the thoughts I didn't want him to pick up on. "It's not like I asked everyone to kiss me" I stated rashly trying to come to my defense. "Wait, that's not true. But you were the only one I actually kissed and I was too little to understand then" I babbled, trying to justify my actions to him for some unknown reason.

He smirked and I wanted to disappear into the ground bellow me. "Ah. I recall that birthday party. It was a rather bold request..." he mused flippantly, his gaze once again meeting my own heatedly.

Damn him and his ability to easily embarrass me. Stupid blush go away! "Y-yeah well you weren't exactly expecting it either. You looked scared beyond your wits" I stuttered out lamely, proud when his smirk vanished.

He frowned. "I wasn't" he answered quietly.

The way he said it made it seem like he didn't want to. My chest throbbed painfully. Wow I so want to run off and cry right now, I really am turning into a girl. "You didn't have to" I replied hollowly, bravely keeping myself together.

He looked away and I feared I would run. Run away from the sight of him, run away from this conversation and the memories. Just run away from this whole thing. "But I wanted too" he stated, his gaze slowly sweeping back to capture my own and taking a step closer in my direction.

I took a deep breath. Calm down, calm down. Unknowingly I too took another step closer. "Where did you go?" I whispered desperately, almost brokenly, clutching my hands to my chest.

He looked troubled by my question. "I was traveling around for schooling. I spent a few years in each country. That's also why I am here" he answered, watching me closely.

"So you'll be here for a while?" I asked meekly, embarrassed by the hope seeping out of my voice.

He chuckled, making me blush and nodded.

I stood there, not knowing what to do. Was it possible for us to pick things up where they left off? Did he want to? Did I want to?

With only a foot between us he silenced my inner turmoil, closing the distance between us. His body heat seeping onto me and making me shudder. "How many birthday kisses do I owe you?" he asked huskily, his voice oozing sex and making me want to lay down at his feet.

I swallowed anxiously suddenly feeling very hot and knowing it wasn't just from the blush on my face. "Are we counting every two years...or every year?" I asked nervously, timidly gazing at him through my lashes.
He looked thoughtful before answering. "I believe if I say every year I will get more, so one kiss every year makes...twelve kisses" his breath hot against my ear.

I could only blush and nod showing I agreed.

Taking my hand in his, he slowly brought it to his mouth and kissed it gently "One". Letting go of it he kissed my cheek, "Two". My jaw, "Three". My chin, "Four". My neck, "Five". Behind my ear, "Six". My other cheek, "Seven". My nose, "Eight". My forehead, "Nine". The corner of my lip, "Ten".

My breathing hitched as his lips barely made contact with my own. "Eleven" he stated, his voice doing many things to me that I couldn't comprehend.

His lips met mine in a chaste and gentle kiss not lasting long enough in my very biased opinion. Pulling back slightly in what I assume as a way of gauging my reaction, his hands wrapped around my waist. Eyes never once leaving mine, he pulled me against him and lent in next to my ear. "One more" he whispered hotly, before leaning down and capturing my lips once more. His lips meshed with mine like water, flowing over mine and at that moment I can honestly say I never wanted it to stop.

My arms went around his neck in an ironic parody of the only other interactions like this I had experienced before. It was nothing like the kisses I had shared with Deidara-kun, Neji-kun, or Sasuke-teme except the posture was the same. What was different? Love. Sounds corny, but that is the true answer to the question I had been trying to answer for years. I now understand why no matter how hard I tried I could not love them. It was because I was already in love. I stretched onto my tip-toes to better reach his lips, god he is tall. Parting my mouth, his tongue obligingly entered easily mapping out my mouth and gliding over every surface languidly. I moaned wantonly which when looking back upon I registered as the reason he pulled away. "Gaara-kun, I-"

I had started to confess my feelings when I was rudely interrupted. Sasori-ni burst into the small park, dragging a reluctant Itachi along.

"Ah what is going on? First I find Deidara, Sasuke, and Neji all in the same place, all looking for you-together. Then I find you in a park, rubbing up against some dude" complained Sasori-nichan, glaring at me in that scolding way of his I always hated.

I said nothing, but I think my blush said it all. Along with the fact that I moved a couple steps away from Gaara.

Sasori sighed. "Well lover boys should be here any minute" he stated looking tiredly over his shoulder.
True to his word, seconds later in stepped a stoic Sasuke, quiet Neji, and bitchy Deidara.

"Naru-chan!" exclaimed Deidara-kun happily.

Neji-kun and Sasuke-teme started glaring at Gaara-kun who was glaring right back.

I sweat dropped, resisting the urge to smack myself in the head. This was going to be bad.

"Gaara jeez you ass. We were looking all over for you!" complained some guy who entered the park behind us, coming to stand next to Gaara. He was quickly followed by a blonde haired girl who glared at me.
Shit. It just got worse didn't it? Three on three...

(A.N: This was supposed to be another chapter, I just realized. :/ Buttt you guys have been so awesome so here you go, two-in-one! :3)

"Kankuro...shut up" ordered Gaara coldly, still glaring at Sasuke and Neji.

Kankuro gulped, taking a few steps away from Gaara and cowering behind the blonde female.

"Naru-chan. Where were you? I looked all over!" exclaimed Deidara obliviously, walking over and hugging Naruto and in turn having three pairs of glaring eyes swivel onto him.

Gaara growled lowly.

Naruto gulped, deciding he better intervene or Deidara would be killed. "Deidara-kun I was in the park. I fell asleep" he responded sheepishly, while stepping away slightly.

"You should sleep more then. Are you feeling okay? I could help you sleep?" responded the eager blonde worriedly.

"You will do no such thing!" exclaimed a furious Sasori, who only now decided to pay attention after thwarting Itachi's advances.

"Why not Sasori-sempai?" whined Deidara, wraping an arm around Naruto.

Naruto felt really bad for Deidara in this moment.

Gaara calmly stalked towards them and possessively pulled Naruto away from him, standing in front of the small blonde.

Sasuke and Neji angrily glared at the red-head.

"I do not appreciate you touching my future wife" explained Gaara in a calm tone. Ah a man of few words indeed, but the few words he dose say are another story completely.

Deidara gaped dramatically while Neji and Sasuke visibly radiated anger.

"Ne, ne. Why am I the wife?!" asked Naruto, pouting cutely and momentarily diverting the attention of the four hostile boys, Kankuro and Itachi. Basically everyone with a penis who isn't related to him.

"It's because you are the submissive" pipped Temari cheerfully, getting a kick out of the live action presented to her. Why watch soaps when you have such extensive and free entertainment?

"Submit what?" asked Naruto innocently, his blonde hair color excusing his answer.

No one was stupid enough to speak.

"Your ass. You are the uke" crooned Kankuro, leering at Naruto and obviously not sensing the potential danger his comment had just put him in.

A snicker was heard, and was later found out to be one Uchiha Itachi.

Naruto blushed very red then looked at Gaara questioningly.

Gaara, instead turned his desperat gaze to Temari who upon sensing her brother's predicament took action. "Don't listen to Kankuro. He still believes there are monsters under the bed" she explained, smiling slightly at the cute blonde.

"Hey I'm telling the tru-" retorted Kankuro, angrily waving his arms as he was speedily silenced by Temari's hand in an attempt to save his life from Gaara's wrath.

"He needs to use the restroom. We'll be back in a bit" she stated in a sing song voice, before dragging Kankuro by the legs into the forest.

Naruto shrugged cutely and the drama carried on.

"Naru-chan are you really going to marry this jerk?" questioned Deidara, pointing at Gaara with a look of disbelief on his face.

Naruto blushed, looked at Gaara and hesitantly nodded.

This would be the part where all hell breaks loose.

"Oh no you di-dn't. Yo momma is so fat her pants size is uh uh BITCH LOSE SOME WEIGHT!" yelled Neji, while Sasuke and Deidara oohed in the back ground.

Just Kidding...*sweat drop*, Anywayyyyssssss. Proceed. 'cough'

"Sasori-sempai won't allow you to marry someone you don't know!" exclaimed Deidara triumphantly, his face visibly vocalizing his relief.

"Ahh Naru-chan, I'm so happy for you. I'm positive Gaara-kun will make a good husband. I'll have the cutest nieces and nephews" interrupted Sasori, gleefully glomping his younger brother.

"EHHH?! You approve of him? Just like that?!" asked Deidara sourly, his gaze immediately zeroing in on the small red head angrily.

Sasori smirked. "Yup. Naru-chan and Gaara-kun go wayyy back-" he explained smugly, all but laughing at his blonde nemesis, that is until he was cut off.

"I'll fight you for him" stated Sasuke confidently, his manner abrupt and without worry.

"I will as well. I refuse to let Naruto-san marry you without fighting for him" added Neji resolutely, his gaze turning to the only thing in his mind in between him and his beloved.

Gaara smirked. "You're on" he answered cooly, not at all worried about the turn of events. He was glad for the reason to beat up two of the idiots who had been close to his Naruto. Now was the time to show them who Naruto belonged to, they will give up once they suffer absolute defeat.
"Ano...can't we talk about this?" asked Naruto meekly, his gaze shifting between the three stoic teens. He twisted his hands nervously, his foot scuffing the dirt bellow it and hinting to the flood of worry just bellow his timid surface.

"I'll fight for my beloved Naru-chan" exclaimed Deidara dramatically. "I'll save him from the evil red-haired lunatic!" he added, crying tears of joy and striking the infamous nice guy pose.

"Itachi do something! That idiot will get himself killed!" hissed Sasori, nudging his uninterested boyfriend harshly with an elbow to the gut.

Itachi coughed loudly before perking up. "Sex?" he asked hopefully.

"Sure, sure whatever. Just do something" ordered Sasori, ignoring the happy glint in his boyfriend's eyes and putting aside the thoughts of what he had just done. Sacrifices must be made...

Itachi calmly trotted over to Deidara and whispered something into his ear.

It was all quiet when suddenly, Deidara passed out cold.

Sasori's face was the epitome of horror. "Oh my god, what did you do?!" he shrieked.
"I told him I have pictures of Naru-chan naked" replied the pervy teen, shrugging his shoulders and donning an innocent look on his devilishly handsome face.

Naruto turned beet red.

Gaara glared at Itachi, while consoling a mortified Naruto.

Sasuke shot Itachi an unnoticed look.

"Yes Outoto, I was talking about your pictures" drawled Itachi in a lazy voice with a smirk. This earned him a glare from Sasuke.

The situation caused Naruto to wobble on his feet until he was steadied by Gaara.

Naruto then and there decided he was going to stop the madness himself,, run to his room, and die of embarrassment. Stupid Uchihas. "Gaara-kun I don't want you to fight because of me" he said cutely, with wide eyes as he worried his bottom lip between his teeth.

Blood slowly trickled down Gaara's nose.

Sasuke, Neji, and Itachi were not in any better condition.

Sasori looked appalled and quickly snatched Naruto from Gaara, cradling him protectively to his chest. "Hentais!" he shouted, glaring heavily at the perpetrators.

"Ma, ma Sasori-chan why can't you be more like Naru-chan?" asked Itachi, pitifully trying to stop the heavy blood flow with his shirt sleeve.

Sasori grabbed the nearest rock, which happened to be big and chucked it at Itachi.
"Itai! You see, Naru-chan would never throw a rock at me!" whined Itachi, clutching his damaged head and sulking.

This caused Sasuke to smirk. The score is even, and Itachi Uchiha revenge is a bitch!

Itachi scowled at the younger Uchiha. That's what you think!

"Sasori-ni! I can't breathe" moaned Naruto weakly.

Sasori immediately let him go, checking him over for dammage.

"Ano, Sasori-ni do you think they have cotton candy at the festival?" asked Naruto innocently, his eyes wide with hope. Go Naruto hit them with their weaknesses and play up the cuteness level! Woot woot!

"Yeah they should...why?" asked Sasori curiously.

"I like the way it tastes" answered Naruto, his small pink tongue darting out to lick his bottom lip.

That did it for Neji, because he passed out with a dangerous amount of blood squirting from his nose.

Itachi jumped on Naruto. "Ah Naruto-chan you are sooo cute! It makes one just want to sex you up" he squealed, hugging Naruto tightly to his chest and groping him.

Naruto meanwhile was gasping and blushing furiously.

Sasori came to the rescue, taking off his shoe and smacking Itachi over the head with it. He then grabbed the taller and larger boy by the ear, dragging him away.

"Itai! Sasori-chan let go. I didn't do anything bad!"
"No sex forever!" 'hit'
"You promised" … "Itai!"
"I take it back!" 'boom'
"You can't do that" 'crash'
"Can so"
"Can not"
"Can so infinity!" yelled triumphantly.
"Can not infinity and beyond" replied calmly.
"Damn you Itachi!" bellowed angrily.
"Ow what was that for?!" asked indignantly.
"For being a Hentai baka!" retorted calmly.
"That's not a crime" stated smugly.
"Shaddap!" 'hit'
"Itai!" 'grope'

Sasuke sweat dropped.

Naruto giggled, making Gaara smile fondly at him. Well...in Gaara terms his lip twitched slightly.

"Nice but kukuku.."
"I'll show you! You won't ever grope me again after this!"
"Not the shoe! Ma Sasori-chan calm down"
"Hehehe...time to payyyy" in a singsong voice. 'hit, hit, hit'
"Itaiiii! Outotooooo save me!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes and calmly went into the forest to save his brother.

"Fricken Uchihas!" yelled Sasori, while not so calmly brushing leaves off his clothes as he stumbled back into the park, diverting everyone's attention to his mangled form.

Naruto, seeing his chance took off running.

Gaara immediately noticed this and ran after him.

Thus... leaving Sasori with the Uchihas.

Sasuke strode into the park, dragging an unconscious Itachi behind him as if it were an everyday occurrence. He took one look around the clearing and right away noticed the absence of a petite blonde. He glared at Sasori and kicked Itachi in the side, before marching off. Two-Sasuke, 1-Itachi.

Sasori shrugged and strolled off to get some cotton candy now that his nuisance was asleep. All that talk of cotton candy had him craving some, he deserved it what with the work out he just had.

PREVIEW FOR NEXT CHAPTER!

Gaara's P.O.V:

Why the hell did he run? Damn it. Now I have to chase him. Why can't we make out and have a normal reunion that involves sex? I need to keep my cool. I'll just walk because I know he's obviously going to his room. I calmly walk through the palace, glaring at everyone who looks at me. That's right I showed you. Look away! Finding his room wasn't hard, and sure enough when I got there I could hear his muffled sobs through the door. I gave a short knock. "Naruto...are you o-kay?" I ask lamely not knowing what to do in this situation. I wait quietly for a reply.

"Go away!" he retorted, his crying now heavier.

The sound of his crying made me feel horrible and my gut clenched in pain. I was filled with fury and wanted nothing more then to turn around and find all those bastards who made Naruto cry and beat them to a pulp. The only thing stopping me was Naruto's voice ringing in my head asking me to not fight anyone. I sighed. Naruto needed me...now how to deal with this. It is common knowledge emotions aren't really my fortay. ...God I hope I don't screw up. He's the most important thing to me. Naruto is my precious person, maybe I can get in touch with my emotions for him. Please Naruto...don't leave me.

A.N: Okieee. Longest chapter everrrr! More to come sometime in a few weeks. Thank you guys for being amazing. Hope you like it. Review, any comments are appreciated.
- -melissaaax3