Hello all, I'm back with a new chapter. I know a lot of people are very much against SasuGaa but I'm hoping they can grin and bear it for this chapter and the next. I know you all hate Sasuke but he's my antagonist and I need to keep him alive as temptation for Gaara. Once that is over you have my permission to maim him in whatever way you feel is appropriate. Although, since I don't actually own Sasuke, it's not really my permission you need to seek but hey ho.
Chapter 9
Kakashi glanced up from his book as the waitress placed the cup of coffee before him. He offered his thanks to the girl, his eyes becoming crescents as he smiled beneath his mask. His gaze then drifted over to the table across the room from him where his marks were sitting. Seeing that all was well he glanced down at his watch and wondered where Obito was.
Right on cue Obito Uchiha stumbled into the restaurant, his glasses and clothes askew. He noticed Kakashi and hurried over, a farfetched excuse about needing to help an old lady across the road spilling from his lips before he'd even taken a seat. Kakashi shook his head; Obito never changed.
Obito finished up his tale and waited for Kakashi's reprimand. When it didn't come he frowned. "What's wrong? Has something happened?"
"Nothing yet," Kakashi replied casually.
Obito's frown deepened. "What's going on Kakashi? I know you said that it was about time we met up again but I didn't expect you to call me and tell me to come to a restaurant without any prior warning."
"Who do you see sitting over there?" Kakashi asked, motioning discretely at his marks.
Obito followed Kakashi's gaze and blinked in surprise. "That's Sasuke. Wow, looks like he's gained another inch since I last saw him."
"Do you recognise the boy with him?"
Obito stared hard at the scowling redhead but he couldn't place him. "Sorry, I don't."
"He's Naruto's boyfriend."
"Really?" Obito asked as he turned back to face Kakashi. "I haven't heard about this. How long has little Naruto been with the cute redhead?"
"Not long," Kakashi answered.
Obito realised that Kakashi was looking at him expectantly. There was another question that Kakashi wanted him to ask. Obito pouted, he always hated this game. Kakashi could never do things the simple way and just tell him what was going on, he always had to make Obito work things out on his own. He had to admit that the skill of deduction he'd learnt from being around Kakashi had come in handy but that didn't mean he didn't find this game very annoying.
Obito turned to look again at the table where Sasuke was sitting. Kakashi must have pointed the young Uchiha out for a reason. Sasuke was leaning back in his chair, the embodiment of cool, as he led the conversation with the redhead. Said redhead was sitting stiff as a board with his arms folded across his chest, a scowl distorting his features. Obito watched as Sasuke finished speaking and waited expectantly for the redhead to say something in reply. The other boy made no move to continue the conversation. Anger flashed across Sasuke's face before he relaxed, a cocky grin making its way onto his face as he made a comment that caused the redhead to tense and glare more heatedly at Sasuke.
It wasn't too long after watching this exchange that a question occurred to Obito. "If the redhead is Naruto's boyfriend what is he doing eating dinner with Sasuke? I know Naruto and Sasuke are friends but I would have thought the kid would have gotten a little paranoid if he found out his boyfriend was going to go on what very much looks like a date with another guy."
Obito internally cheered as Kakashi nodded, signalling that he had asked the right question. His expression then morphed to reflect his inner confusion when Kakashi said, "It looks like a date because it is a date."
After taking a moment to try and work out what was going on Obito gave up. "You're going to have to explain this one to me Kakashi."
"The redhead's name is Gaara. He met and started going out with Naruto roughly two weeks ago. He met Sasuke a week ago. Since then Sasuke has been trying to break up him and Naruto."
"Why?"
Kakashi shrugged. "I have a few theories but nothing solid."
"I can guess too; spoilt brat Sasuke has never been happy letting someone else have something he doesn't," Obito said as he rested his chin upon his knuckle. "Looks like he got his way again if he's got the redhead to go on a date with him."
Kakashi shook his head. "As you may have noticed, Gaara isn't here willingly. He apparently assaulted Sasuke when he tried to make a move on him and now Sasuke is blackmailing Gaara to go on this date. Gaara knows that if he gets one more black mark against his name he'll be going to prison so he's complying with Sasuke's demands."
"What about Naruto? If he knew about this he'd flip."
"Naruto already knows."
Obito stared at him in disbelief. "If he already knows how come one of them isn't sporting a black eye? I've never known Naruto to take betrayal lying down."
"Sasuke told Naruto what he was going to do and let him pass on the message to Gaara."
"Ouch," Obito winced. "Sasuke definitely sunk to a new low with that one."
Kakashi nodded. "I overheard the conversation and reported it to Jiraiya. He asked me if I would keep an eye on them to make sure Sasuke doesn't do anything he shouldn't."
Obito shook his head. "I always knew Sasuke was a bastard but I never thought he'd take such a cheap shot. Then again, everyone in the family except his dad always babied him. I guess it's only natural he turned into a spoilt brat. Living in Itachi's shadow and having his parents die unexpectedly can't have helped."
Kakashi nodded. "Sasuke is a troubled boy with many expectations on his shoulders. That does not excuse his behaviour though."
Obito smirked. "Those who do not care and support their fellows are lower than garbage."
Kakashi nodded, the old motto making him smile. He'd missed spending time with Obito, his best friend, but they were both always busy with work. Kakashi had worked in law enforcement for a few years before he took up the challenge of teaching and Obito worked for the Uchiha Corporation like everyone else in his family. His position was not one of great responsibility but that suited Obito just fine; he didn't need that kind of pressure constantly being placed on his shoulders.
Obito leaned back in his chair, his hands folding behind his head. "So come on, tell me, what's the real reason you called me here?"
"I needed someone to talk to so that it didn't appear that I was following them. And I may also need your help with something else."
Obito dropped his hands as he leaned forward. "What sort of something?"
"After dinner Sasuke is taking Gaara back to his house for a sleepover."
"Shit," Obito whispered in amazement, drawing out the syllables.
Kakashi nodded. "Obviously if Sasuke is planning to do something that is where he'll make his move. I need to find a way to monitor him. That's where you come in."
Obito grinned. "Sounds like fun. I'm in."
Kakashi regarded him carefully. "You're not going to report this to Itachi are you?"
Obito snorted. "Itachi isn't my boss after hours, even if he is head of the clan. You should know by now that I feel no great responsibility to my family."
Kakashi did know. When he'd first met Obito he'd assumed that as an Uchiha the boy would be outstanding in all aspects of life; a true challenge and rival. He'd been frustrated when he found out that Obito was in many ways a disappointment to his family, but then Obito had imposed himself upon Kakashi's life and they had been friends ever since.
Obito leaned back in his chair and turned to look at Sasuke's table. Food had been delivered and both boys were slowly making their way through their meals. Sasuke still seemed to be trying to make conversation and Gaara still seemed to be trying his hardest to ignore him.
Turning back to Kakashi Obito asked, "So how is Naruto? I mean, apart from being pissed off at Sasuke for ruining their friendship, is he doing ok?"
"Naruto's fine. He keeps asking why you haven't shown your face in so long."
Obito laughed as he self-consciously rubbed the back of his head. "Itachi's been piling on the pressure so that this big business deal can be closed as soon as possible. I've been so swamped with work that I've not even had chance to consider going to see him."
Kakashi and Obito had both been students of Naruto's father. He'd helped out with many extracurricular activities and had become very attached to these students in particular. When Naruto had been born he'd played the part of the proud father and brought in his son to show off to his students and colleagues. Obito had quickly adopted Naruto as his younger brother and had always volunteered himself and Kakashi whenever Naruto's father was in need of a babysitter. Even after his teacher's death Obito had stayed close to Naruto. Over the years they had grown further apart but they still considered themselves brothers and tried to meet up whenever they could.
"So what are we going to do whilst we wait for those two to leave?" Obito asked as he reached across the table for Kakashi's coffee.
Kakashi beat him to it, lifting the cup up to his lips as he replied, "I thought we could sit and talk like normal adults."
"That sounds boring," Obito grumbled as he leaned back in his seat.
Obito watched as Kakashi used the coffee cup to cover his mouth as he pulled down the mask so that he could take a sip of the hot beverage. The Uchiha smiled; it was nice to know that even the great Kakashi was a creature of habit.
Watching the silver haired teacher drink his coffee soon became boring. Obito turned his attention back to Sasuke and Gaara, only to see that the scene was as before – Gaara was trying to eat and Sasuke was trying to make him respond to his comments. Obito felt sorry for the poor redhead; he obviously wasn't enjoying himself. From what he had gathered from Kakashi it sounded like the boy was in this mess through no fault of his own, it was all Sasuke's doing. Obito wished he could do something to make the night slightly more bearable for him.
As he continued to watch the pair an idea came to him. With a devious grin on his face Obito flagged down the nearest waiter. The man came over and asked if he would like to order something. Leaning back in his chair Obito shrugged. "Not really. However, I would like to know what the going rate is for 'accidentally' dropping a tray of food on someone."
"Obito," Kakashi warned.
"I'm sorry sir but that is not something we do in this restaurant," the waiter replied stiffly before hurrying back to the kitchen.
Obito deflated. "Don't give me that look," he said sulkily, knowing that Kakashi would be wearing his reproachful expression without even needing to glance at him.
"You never grow up do you?" There was amusement in the voice.
Obito smiled. "I try not to lest I end up stuffy and responsible like you."
Kakashi snorted quietly and took another sip of coffee. "We're here merely to observe, not interfere. I know you're not very good at sitting idly by but those are our orders and we are going to stick with them. This will be a good exercise in patience and restraint."
Obito rolled his eyes. "I thought you dragged me here to talk, not to lecture. Then again," his eyes drifted over to where Sasuke and Gaara were sitting, "even being lectured is probably better than suffering whatever torment that kid is enduring."
Gaara's head was bowed, his eyes trained on the plate in front of him. He wished Sasuke would just shut up and let him eat in peace but the Uchiha displayed no signs of doing so. With a mentally grieving sigh Gaara continued to block out the annoyingly seductive sound of Sasuke's voice whilst still maintaining a look of indifference. He couldn't let the Uchiha know his true feelings (frustration with more than a hint of boredom and longing for better company) because he wasn't sure what the consequences would be of Sasuke having that knowledge. Gaara didn't want to do anything that would give Sasuke the advantage in this game.
Reaching to the side Gaara took hold of his glass. He allowed a disappointed frown to enter his features as he surveyed the contents – Cola without a trace of alcohol. It seemed he wasn't going to be escaping Sasuke that way tonight.
Masking his irritation Gaara took a sip before he resumed eating, well aware that Sasuke was becoming increasingly annoyed by his lack of response. Good. With any luck the Uchiha would give up on him and this stupid game by the end of dinner and allow him to return home.
Sasuke was about to make another attempt at conversation but he was cut off when a waiter appeared at their table. The man leaned down to whisper in Sasuke's ear but the raven haired teen pulled back. The man's eager expression lessened as he moved to a more acceptable distance away from Sasuke. The volume the man now had to speak at so that Sasuke could hear his message was loud enough that Gaara no longer had to strain to also hear it. "Sir, I think I may have found the man you were expecting. He's sitting at table six and just asked me if I would 'accidently' drop food on 'someone'."
Sasuke's brow furrowed. "Which man?"
"The one with the dark hair and glasses."
Both Sasuke and Gaara glanced across the restaurant in search of this man. There weren't many who matched his description and even if there had been Gaara was pretty sure that he would still have been able to quite easily spot him. With his chair tilted back onto two legs he seemed to project a carefree attitude. His smile reminded Gaara of Naruto's impish grin but his other features seemed to hold more of a resemblance to Sasuke's. He seemed like the likeliest candidate out of all the bespectacled, dark haired males who would want to cause trouble.
Sasuke saw him too and his frown deepened. "He's sent those two to spy on me then," he muttered darkly. He then pulled a crisp new note out of his wallet and handed it to the waiter. The man took it with a polite smile before hurriedly scurrying away in case Sasuke changed his mind.
Gaara stared curiously after the waiter for a moment as he turned the exchange over in his head. Gaara was sure that he had never before seen the man who had tried to ruin Sasuke's outfit, or the man seated with him at table six. Yet Sasuke obviously had since he had immediately recognised them and assumed that they were there to spy on him. Correction, he thought someone had ordered them to spy on him. If that was the case then who was their mystery employer? Itachi? No, from what Gaara had seen of the older Uchiha brother he liked to see the fireworks first hand instead of relying on someone else to paint a picture for him. But if not him then who else would have an interest in Sasuke's love life?
It took a few minutes of pondering the question for Gaara to reach a conclusion that forced him to suppress an elated smile. Naruto would have wanted to know what was happening to him and no doubt his perverted grandfather would have been happy to send someone to make sure his grandson still had a virgin to deflower. And if action had to be taken to make sure Gaara remained pure then he was sure that their orders were to sabotage his date. Gaara was fine with that; if they felt they needed to step in then he was more than willing to let them do so. For once Gaara wouldn't mind people meddling in his affairs seeing as it would be mutually beneficial for both parties.
The knowledge that Gaara was not alone, that there was someone there he could trust to help him if he got into trouble, revived his spirits and the flame of defiance within. There was hope yet that he would survive the night.
Sasuke noticed the change in Gaara's demeanour almost immediately. The corner of the redhead's lips had flickered as if he was about to smile and his eyes had started to gleam with renewed vitality. All night Sasuke had tried to force a response out of the redhead and nothing had worked. He had remained indifferent to all of Sasuke's advances yet the idea that Naruto had sent someone to watch over him made him almost smile!
Consumed by rage and jealousy Sasuke grabbed Gaara's wrist. He jerked the boy forward so that his face nearly became intimate with his dinner. Gaara managed to steady himself with his free arm, surprise flickering across his face before his teal green eyes hardened. He aimed his gaze at Sasuke and was surprised by the amount of barely contained fury smouldering in those dark eyes. The power of the emotion made Gaara want to recoil but the tightening of Sasuke's grip kept him in place.
Sasuke leaned forward so that only Gaara could hear the venomous words he hissed. "You seem to be forgetting that you're my boyfriend tonight. That bastard isn't supposed to exist! You came here because you wanted to be with me, because you'd decided to accept my kind and generous offer to treat you. You're supposed to be grateful that I noticed a common thug like you; you're not supposed to be thinking about somebody else! If you want to keep your freedom you better change your attitude and start acting like you want to be here or I'll go and make a reservation for you in a nice cell with a roommate who will just love your skinny little ass."
The fires of indignation roared to life within Gaara as he listened to Sasuke's speech. The Uchiha's words were fuel to the flame of defiance that the knowledge Naruto had sent someone to watch him had lit and by the end of the speech the flame had become an inferno. Gaara was tired of humouring Sasuke and his delusions; tired of playing his game. He'd had enough and wasn't going to put up with Sasuke's crap any longer.
Jerking his wrist out of Sasuke's grasp Gaara stood up. "Go ahead, go run to the authorities and make your complaint; I'm not scared of prison," he hissed.
Sasuke eyed him carefully, his temper under control and his mask of ice back in place. "You're bluffing."
Gaara sneered at him, his face twisted in contempt. "Am I? Watch me walk away and then tell me I'm bluffing." Gaara made to walk away but Sasuke again caught his wrist and stopped him in his tracks. Gaara turned back to pin the raven haired teen with a fierce glare. "Let go of me," he said slowly in a deadly calm voice.
Sasuke was thinking fast, Gaara could see the gears of his mind turning behind his eyes. He wasn't going to let things end without putting up a fight, without throwing a spanner into the works of Gaara's resolve. He wasn't going to lose this game.
"What would you do if I told you that yours is not the only life I could ruin?" Sasuke asked slowly, his eyes analysing Gaara as the gears continued to turn.
"I don't like repeating myself," Gaara growled, his words as harsh and cold as ice.
"You have a brother don't you? If the police received an anonymous call saying that he'd been dealing drugs and then said drugs were found in his room how do you think that would affect his life, his career?"
Gaara remembered earlier that evening when he had encountered his brother on the landing, his snide comment, the way Gaara had ignored him as always. The lives of his siblings did not affect or concern him. They both avoided him like the plague and he was fine with that. A part of him might feel a twinge of regret if they were dragged into Sasuke's sick game because of him but that part was easily ignored. They had never done anything to protect him from the harsh hand of the law so why should he?
"My siblings don't want to know me and I don't want to know them, same as I don't want to know you," Gaara replied as he tried to wriggle out of Sasuke's hold.
"I see you won't submit for your family but what about your friends?"
That one nearly made Gaara laugh. "I don't have any friends."
"What about Naruto?"
Gaara stopped struggling. His gaze became calm, contemplative even. "I'm sure Naruto has just as much dirt to use against you as you have to use against him. You were friends after all," Gaara added with bitter venom.
Sasuke smirked and shook his head as if Gaara was a naive child who had completely missed the point. "Many people still remember the days when Naruto was a notorious prankster who got into trouble every week without fail. Nobody would really be surprised if he reverted to his old ways. I, on the other hand, have a spotless record. If it comes down to it who do you think will be believed: the prankster or the model student? I could say just about anything about Naruto and they would eat it up without question. Are you willing to be the catalyst of Naruto's downfall?"
"You're a very good liar," Gaara admitted.
Sasuke frowned, not liking that reply. "It's not a lie. Why do you think you were sent to Jiraiya to be reformed? Because he cured Naruto of his delinquency. That was why nobody ever asked what punishment he had cooked up for you. At school Naruto is on his last warning – one more black mark against his name and he'll be expelled. Are you willing to be the one who causes that black mark to appear?"
"It's a school, Naruto won't care that he has to be confined in a different one for another year."
"Maybe not, but his grandparents will. They might not be very strict but they care about Naruto and if they think that his association with someone is going to ruin his life then they will forbid him from seeing that someone ever again."
"If Naruto truly is a rule breaker then I doubt he will listen to his grandparents."
Gaara was doing well at pretending Sasuke's words weren't affecting him but inside he was beginning to feel uncomfortable about the direction this conversation was going. He didn't want Naruto to have to choose between being with him and obeying his grandparents because he had a sinking feeling that Naruto would eventually choose them over him. That was the way things always seemed to happen; Gaara had long since stopped putting his faith in people and their ability to love him. Naruto might be different to most people (that was why Gaara had gone out on a limb and started a relationship with him in the first place) and he might often argue with his grandparents, but deep down he loved his crazy family. If Gaara put him in a position where he was forced to choose Gaara wasn't sure he would come out the winner.
Sasuke stared long and hard at Gaara, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Then he sighed, let go of Gaara's wrist and sat back in his chair. "It seems I'm not going to be able to blackmail you."
Gaara stared at him in astonishment, completely stunned by the fact that Sasuke was suddenly throwing in the towel. It was a very unexpected move on the Uchiha's part.
Crossing his arms over his chest Sasuke pinned Gaara with a look of grudging admiration. "I must admit that I hadn't expected you to last as long as you did."
"What?" Gaara asked, becoming more confused by the second.
"The date. I thought you would have pulled out much earlier, if you'd agreed to go on it at all. Then you managed to keep your head and argue your way out of being blackmailed. You did well."
Gaara looked at him blankly. His reaction (or lack thereof) made Sasuke smile in a way that exuded confidence, but not so much that he would be called arrogant. It was a dark, sexy smile and Gaara was loath to admit that it looked good on him.
"You see, Gaara, I'm a businessman like my father. I'm critical and ruthless and like to get my way. When I saw you at Naruto's house I was intrigued by you. I wanted to know more about you so I decided on a direct approach. When you didn't seem to be the least bit interested I became even more fascinated by you. I sat down and weighed up my options and decided that the benefits of going after you outweighed the benefits of remaining friends with Naruto. So I brought you here and watched as you once again ignored me. I have to admit that that is the one trait of yours I truly dislike. The rest of what you've shown me throughout this ordeal I have found delightful. You'd make a good businessman."
"How so?" Gaara asked carefully, suspicious yet curious as to what Sasuke had to say.
"You played along with my game until you thought the means no longer justified the ends, that you would be supported by others when you made your stand and held to your convictions. And perhaps it would be wrong of me to add that you're a snappy dresser?"
Gaara resented the fact that Sasuke's words created a spark of warmth inside him. It wasn't often that he received compliments from anyone; people usually didn't take the time to notice him. But Sasuke had noticed him and (apparently) he liked what he saw. He was the only one apart from Naruto who had ever really flirted with him, who had ever really implied that he was desirable. And Gaara liked being complimented, he liked being valued, he liked the way Sasuke was looking at him with a mixture of respect and desire. And even though he had the horrible feeling that he was being played he still wanted to sit down and listen to what else Sasuke had to say.
"Is this your new game?" Gaara asked quietly. "Pay me false compliments so that I'll stick around for more? Do I really look that desperate for acknowledgement?" There was anger now in his voice, anger towards Sasuke and his stupid games.
The smile dropped from Sasuke's lips. "They're not false," he said seriously. "You know all the reasons why you should leave, I'm merely explaining all the reasons you should stay."
The blackmailing had made him visit his insecurities, the sudden resignation of the game had taken him by surprise, made him vulnerable and easily taken in by his flattery and his twisted logic. Sasuke truly did play a good game.
Gaara sat down. "I'll stay if you explain what you find so interesting about me."
Sasuke smirked and Gaara knew that he had just willingly walked into the lion's den.
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