Chapter 10:

Dear Naruto,

Why aren't you back here with me? I really miss you and well…I've been thinking…maybe we need to really think over our marriage and give it another shot. We should really try to get over that fight we had…the big one which we don't talk about. But you know what? I want to talk about that fight…we need to get past it. We need to think about where we're headed and what we want.

Some things have kind of cropped up here, nothing to serious, but they are things that make me want to think about us. Let me get this out of my system all right? I love you. We both know that I haven't ever had love from anyone… well not completely. I know you love me too, but however much we try not to think of it or speak of it, you do love the Uchiha asshole too. I've never been able to experience anyone's complete love… and even if yours with Sasuke didn't work out, he still did love you!

What I'm trying to say is…please hurry home. I really want to know if we can get this to work and if we can be happy. I'm happy with just Kizuna and you…so we don't need other kids. Let's just adopt a few! Or maybe when you're ready we'll have our own kids…so the kid question is out of the fray right now. Let's go on a holiday and relax… I know you're all ready on one, but let's see if it can be all right…have loads of work to do now…so I'll see you soon I hope. Ja ne!

Gaara

Naruto folded up the letter and slipped it into his pocket. This was the fourth time he'd read it in the past two days. He'd made up his mind. Sasuke and Shikamaru would head to Konoha and Naruto would go home to his husband, tell him about everything and start over for good. He'd written to Tsunade and she'd convinced the council to let Sasuke back into the village. It seemed that the village rejoiced that Itachi was gone and Sasuke had avenged everyone, but they still didn't trust the Uchiha. The girls would be glad too, Naruto thought with a smile.

He sighed and went back in, to find Kizuna. The boy was with Sasuke again. When Naruto entered, Kizuna was asleep and Sasuke was shirtless…in the middle of changing into other clothes. The raven looked up to see the blond looking him over with a slight hunger in his eyes. It made Sasuke pull on his shirt faster. "So dobe, when are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning. I'll be in Suna by afternoon. Shikamaru will get you to Konoha and then come home." Naruto explained.

Home…Sasuke noted. Naruto had told him that he had made things ok at Konoha…that he'd let Kizuna visit sometimes. It had been painful, but Sasuke who never showed emotion at the best of times had replied that he understood and that he was grateful to Naruto for letting him see his son. He turned away from Naruto, on the pretext of smoothing Kizuna's hair. Sasuke gingerly slipped under the covers, just wanting to hug his son, before he left.

Naruto watched and bit his lip. Something was hurting inside. But Sasuke didn't look like he wanted to talk anymore. Naruto just sat down on a chair, watching them. The day passed quickly, Sasuke didn't leave Kizuna's side even for a moment, though he kept his distance from Naruto. Naruto didn't object, he even let Kizuna spend the night with Sasuke.

It was dawn when he walked in to see Kizuna awake and ready. Sasuke was dressed as well, expression stony and stoic as usual, but his mask wasn't as perfect as it used to be and pain escaped his eyes in flicker continually. Naruto put on his best smile. "Ne, Kizuna-chan! Let's go! Otou-san will be waiting."

But the boy's face didn't brighten. "Ne…chichi-ue, can Sasuke-san come with us as well? Please?"

Naruto shook his head. "Sasuke has to go back to Konoha. We'll see him, Kizuna. I'll send you over whenever you have free time. You will be starting at the Suna academy won't you? So in the holidays you can go see Sasuke."

The child shook his head, tears beginning to make their way down the smooth chubby cheeks. "No. I don't want to go…I won't say goodbye to Sasuke-san…"

Naruto looked a little helpless, wanting to cry as well and getting a bit angry that Kizuna had to make it so hard for him, though he felt guilty at the thought. Sasuke glanced at him and sighed, before kneeling down in front of his son, wincing at the protest from his wounds. "Kizuna… you shouldn't cry. You know we'll see each other. Your chichi-ue did promise me, you'd come to see me. We'll have fun then ok? Now I really must go to Konoha and see Tsunade-sama, to get my wounds healed. Your… your…Otou..."Sasuke swallowed. "Your Otou-san misses you and he really wants to see you…don't you want to see him?"

Kizuna nodded. "I do…but I'll miss you…" he hugged Sasuke, clinging to him like a burr. Sasuke just walked up to Naruto and disentangled Kizuna from him, handing him over to the blond. Then he gave a small smile.

"I'll see you then, Naruto, Kizuna. Safe journey." Then he 'poofed' to where Shikamaru waited. They set off then, leaving the blond and his son in the clearing.

Naruto comforted Kizuna, before leaving for Suna. He wanted to see Gaara soon…anything to get rid of this pain!

Neji shuffled the sheaf of papers he held once again. Then he placed them on Gaara's desk and walked out. From what Shikamaru had said, Naruto was returning today, which meant that he would have to stop seeing Gaara. He looked up as the Kazekage walked in. Gaara gave him a short smile…then Neji knew it was really over.

He swallowed and smiled back. "Good morning, Kazekage-sama. Here are your reports for the day. If you've finished sorting the missions, I'll hand them out, now, if you don't mind."

Gaara glanced through his reports. "Yes, I have finished. Here you go. Any news from Konoha? Naruto will want to know as soon as he gets back…"

Neji almost flinched…it was sheer willpower that held him back from doing so. "Actually, no. Tsunade-hime has been silent lately. You must have noticed that she hasn't sent this week's report for Naruto as she usually does. But there is other important news you'll want to know. Uchiha Itachi has been missing for the past week or so. His partner's not to be found either."

Gaara looked up interested. But Neji had already walked to the door. The long haired man stopped a moment. "I'm sorry I don't have any other information, Kazekage-sama."

Gaara watched him leave, before leaning back into his chair. There was that pain again. Watching Neji leave or letting go of him, shouldn't have hurt. Naruto was coming back today! Gaara waited for that insane joy that used to fill him whenever the blond's name was mentioned…it came but in a small amount.

The day seemed to crawl by, afternoon never seeming close. Gaara had actually put his head on his papers and fallen asleep, when Neji came in announcing Naruto. Both he and the blond stared at the sleeping Gaara, before Kizuna jumped onto the redhead. "Otou-san! I'm back!"

Gaara almost jumped. He turned to grab Kizuna in a hug, taking in the scent of that nice baby powder Naruto used on him. "Welcome back, Kizuna-chan! I missed you!" he hugged the boy closer, before letting him go and hugging Naruto.

The blond hugged back tightly and then drew back. "I have something to ell you and Neji. Um…Kizuna-chan…please go outside and play… chichi-ue has something very important to tell Otou-san."

Once the kid had left, Naruto sat down and began explaining what had happened in the village of Yu. Gaara and Neji first paled, and then they grew really serious and finally more relaxed as Naruto neared the end. "So I told him I'd let Kizuna visit. I hope you don't mind Gaara."

Gaara shook his head and then looked at Neji. The Hyuuga understood at once and left immediately. Then Gaara turned to regard Naruto. "So…you came back…"

Naruto stared at him in wonder. "What did u think I'd do? Run away with Sasuke? You're my husband…. I wanted to give it a try! Start again…you know like you said in your letter…"

Gaara shoved away the guilty feeling welling up in him. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have thought that." Then he caught hold of the blond, kissing him lingeringly.

Naruto pulled away. "Wanna go to bed? I haven't had any sex in ages….and if you want to start over then. Hi, I'm Uzumaki Naruto…married to the Kazekage of Suna…nice to meet you."

Gaara smiled. "I'm the Kazekage…you're husband. Nice to meet you too!" Naruto laughed and they went up to bed together, though it was still afternoon.

Naruto lay back on the sheets, moaning as Gaara lubed him, three fingers moving in and out of his hole. He bit his lip, trying not to let the pleasure override him. His husband pulled his fingers out, reaching for a condom.

Gaara froze, when Naruto's hand caught his wrist. "Forget those…I'm ready for a child…" the redhead felt his stomach drop out. Could he do that? Could he let Naruto have his child…now that he and Neji…on this very bed…not today…definitely not today…after all Kizuna was his child right. Shit! Everything seemed so different after his stint with Neji! He shook his head.

"Naruto…not today. Today, let's go with the flow. We're starting over right?" Gaara smiled and ripped the pack open, putting one on. Naruto looked confused, but then he smiled. Gaara winced mentally; the blond probably thought Gaara was looking out for him. Gaara sighed and slipped between Naruto's spread legs positioning himself, before thrusting into that tight hole.

Their moans filled the room, until they rose to screams that finally stopped, making both collapse in a heap. One felt happy in the afterglow…while another almost died of guilt.

Neji stood outside, listening to the moans. He'd come to deliver a message to Gaara…but he should have realized. Silly him, for thinking maybe Gaara would still want him now that Naruto was back. And Naruto was his best friend… he shouldn't cheat on him again.

He walked away his heart clenching painfully. Why the fuck hadn't Naruto just stayed with Sasuke!

Tsunade stared at the Uchiha in front of her. The man looked empty… broken. If what Shikamaru said was true, then the man hadn't spoken a word since he left Naruto and Kizuna behind. She wondered if he was going to go back to being a shinobi. So she asked him.

Sasuke stayed silent for a while and then shook his head. "No."

Tsunade pursed her lips. "So what are you going to do? Getting a job will be difficult… they don't trust you, Uchiha. If you go back to being a shinobi…I'll convince the council to let you off after a month or two of ANBU guards trailing you. You can have missions, you could go to Suna…see Kizuna and Naruto…"

Sasuke paled. When he looked up, there was soft determination in those eyes. "No thank you Hokage-sama. I'll find a job. And have my assets been frozen as well?"

"No…Naruto would not allow us to do so. So we kept them alive. You have a fortune in the vaults… so you don't have to work if you don't want to. I must thank you for killing your brother at last… you've helped save Konoha… thanks for Orochimaru too."

Sasuke stood up. "If that is all, Hokage-sama. You can send your ANBU after me… I'm in no condition to fight still… and I have nowhere to go." He let himself out.

The next few days Sasuke wandered the streets of Konoha. Fortunately he was so engrossed in his thought, that he didn't hear the disgusted whispers as he passed. Unlike Naruto thought, none of the girls followed him around…he was glad. Every time he entered a store looking for a job, they politely refused…sometimes even places advertising for workers had the same excuse. Sasuke didn't care… he had enough money to live on…but the only reason he wanted the job was so that he could do something that didn't involve killing and something that would take his mind away from Naruto.

Finally he landed up at Ichiraku's. Ordering a miso pork ramen, he let his mind blank out until the steaming bowl was placed in front of him. This is painful…but he needed some food and he was sure it wouldn't be as good from other establishments. He could feel the man and his daughter watching him.

Then the man cleared his throat. This is it, they're going to realize who I am and then throw me out. After all I hurt their Naruto. The man stepped up to him. "How would you like to learn to make ramen, boy?"

Sasuke blinked…incredulity spreading over his face. The first sign of emotion he'd shown anyone since he got to Konoha. "W…what?"

"I heard you're looking for a job. Don't worry about them, bleaters…they're quick to take sides. I could teach you to make ramen though…my daughter Ayame is expecting, see…I don't want her working here for a while. If you could help, it would be nice." The man gave him a soft smile.

Sasuke wondered if he could bear to be around a reminder of Naruto. But then it was a job…and if he concentrated hard enough…he might be able to make amazing ramen for Kizuna, when he came to visit. He looked up at the man, looking grateful. "I'd like that please. When can I start?"

Gaara sauntered into the pub; he hadn't been there in ages. It had been three months since Naruto returned. He'd had to come up with a variety of excuses to tell the blond, when Naruto asked him why they weren't trying for a child. He knew it confused the blond, but Gaara didn't want a child anymore… he told Naruto he'd had a change of heart and that he was happy with just Kizuna. That they could try in another year or so…Naruto would be more ready then.

He moved through the crowd of grinding bodies, until his green eyes alighted on a lone figure in the corner hunched over his drink. He walked over a little too quickly, the figure looked up and white eyes met green. Neji looked a little confused. "Gaara-sama…what are you doing here?"

Gaara let his eyes linger on that face, taking in all the curves and the perfect jaw line. He hadn't looked at Neji for more time than was necessary in the past three months. He'd try to keep his attention on Naruto and Kizuna. But he hadn't been able to ignore the tall figure moving about in his office, always in the background…always at the back of his mind. Sometimes he imagined Neji when he was with Naruto. Sometimes he imagined them with him together…the guilt killed him.

He smirked at the Hyuuga. "Hello, Neji. Long time since we were here, right?"

Neji's eyes widened. "Are you just here to hurt me? I don't want to think about that…it meant so much…we can't be together, Gaara. Don't taunt me with the fact! Where's your husband?"

"Naruto is at home with Kizuna…helping him with the homework. I came here only to see you. Care to dance?" Gaara asked. In his mind a voice screamed for him to just stop and go back to Naruto. But Neji was who he wanted…he wanted the Hyuuga soo badly, he couldn't think of anything else sometimes.

Neji stared at him, before rising and moving to the dance floor. Gaara followed him, henge-ing incase someone guessed it was him. Naruto didn't need to know. They let themselves go, dancing to the beat, grinding with each other just like the bodies grinding around them. Gaara reached up to capture the Hyuuga's lips with his own, letting his tongue run against the bottom. It was addictive; the Hyuuga's pure untainted love for him was addictive.

Neji 'poofed' then to his apartment, letting go of Gaara and moving away. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I have to. I can't stand having you in my office…I think about you all the time… even when I'm with my husband sometimes. I want you all the time… I want to hold you, kiss you… please Neji…don't stop me." Gaara moved forwards, to kiss him again.

Neji looked at him perplexed. Gaara was within his grasp…but Naruto was one of his closest friends. He needed more than the fact that Gaara wanted him, but his brain was too addled. I'll be guilty later. Let me just think of now. He smiled and moved towards Gaara, letting the redhead push him onto the bed and straddle him.

The sex was fast and hard, not slow or gentle. They both wanted the other too badly for it to be slow. Neji panted as he thrust into the redhead, feverishly as he reached his peak. He screamed Gaara's name as he came, seeing white spots. I'm sorry, Naruto.

Four years later:

Gaara and Naruto's anniversary:

"Happy anniversary, Naruto." The blond smiled happily as Gaara ushered him into the theatre. A new movie was out, one that Naruto had badly wanted to watch. It was called 'Nin of the Seven Seas.' Gaara smiled at the happy smile on his husband's face. He was bored though…he didn't like action movies…in fact he just didn't like movies. He'd rather have done something more fun like gone to dinner with Neji once more.

It wasn't that Gaara didn't love his blond husband…he did. But it had just turned into friendship, now…or so he thought. He loved Neji more than ever; the Hyuuga had given him everything he'd ever wanted…the love that he'd wanted. The Hyuuga hadn't pushed him away or rejected him because of some past love. He slipped his arm around Naruto, trying to focus on the movie. Finally it ended and they went to dinner.

He could see many people eyeing him and his husband. Naruto looked really sexy tonight, in his red silk shirt and blue jeans. Gaara let his eyes linger on the tanned chest that was revealed by the undone buttons. He was still attracted to Naruto…anyone would be. He ordered a new fangled dish called pizza. It was the first time he was treating Naruto to it…he'd had it before when he'd come here with Neji.

In the past four years he'd gone on dates with Neji, in his henge form. Everyone knew Neji was dating some beautiful girl called Keiko, who had beautiful silver hair and blue eyes. They'd seen her with Neji everywhere. He pulled himself out of his thoughts…he knew he had to make some conversation with Naruto. The blond was looking at him worriedly.

"What?"

"Nothing. You just spaced out on me. What are you thinking about? Is it Kizuna?" Naruto asked him, his eyes lighting up.

Gaara smiled. "Yes… when is he going to be back from Sasuke's? Tomorrow?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah. It was really ingenious of you to send him there, so we get tonight all to ourselves. We've been married for nine years! I never thought it was such a long time!"

"Me neither. Here's the pizza." Gaara leaned back to watch Naruto's face. It was fun to watch the expressions on the blond's face. He'd always loved that part about Naruto, the way gleeful emotions made their way onto his face, without his realizing it.

Naruto prodded the pizza first, then he sniffed it after which he finally took a bite…then he promptly dropped it back onto his plate and downed his glass of water. "Hot! Hot! I think I burnt my tongue!" he made wild gestures, with a cute adorable look of pain on his face. Gaara shook his head and stood up to reach over the table, yank his husband up and kiss him.

When they sat back down, Naruto was red in the face and the whole restaurant were either staring or sporting nosebleeds. Naruto picked up his now cooled pizza and proceeded to eat it with enthusiasm. Gaara picked up a slice and blew on it carefully before beginning to eat it. He looked up and froze for a second…Naruto was too busy with the trailing cheese to notice.

Neji was standing at the window, looking at them. Gaara stood up, excusing himself, saying he'd go to the restroom. Making sure Naruto didn't watch, he made his way outside into the alley behind the restaurant. "What are you doing here, Neji? It's my anniversary…I thought we agreed I'd stay with Naruto tonight."

"You're with him every night Gaara. We only fuck in the afternoons or evenings remember? This guilt is killing me! You've been married to him for nine years now, and we've been cheating…" he didn't get a chance to finish as Gaara shushed him. He grimaced. "Look, Gaara…we have to tell him! He's one of my best friends! I can't go on doing this to him ok?"

Gaara hugged him. "Neji…I can't." he felt Neji stiffen. "No, I really do love you…but…he'll be so hurt. I love him too…he was my first friend and he's still a best friend. I know I'm not in love with him, I haven't been for a long time, but he's been trying so hard."

"This is why we have to tell him, before leading him on anymore. I can't go on doing this!" Neji ground out angrily.

Gaara sighed. "All right, I'll tell im sometime this week." He kissed Neji, pushing him back against the wall. "You know what; meet me later tonight. By around ten. We'll be home by then. I'll tell Naruto I want some sake…I checked we're all out."

Neji looked at him hesitantly before nodding. "You'd better get back to him. He'll be wondering where you are…"

Naruto grumbled. Gaara had said he'd get sake and Naruto was feeling so alone. Usually Kizuna would be there, talking to him…he boy had grown really intelligent, so they discussed some nice topics. He felt bad that Kizuna hadn't remained a child for very long…the way some people treated him, had made him grow out of his childhood rather fast. He was very broody like his father, though he did have Naruto's friendly nature. In fact, Kizuna was a little Sasuke, same broody-ness, same blank expression, the only differences were that Kizuna could let go most times and be a child again. It was disarming, made people think that the boy didn't understand stuff.

Naruto suddenly realized he'd left his book in Gaara's office. He sighed and started walking over to the corridor that connected the house to the office. He wondered how Sasuke was…he'd have to ask Kizuna tomorrow. It irked him that Sasuke still didn't have a girlfriend or boyfriend to share his life with. What the hell was the raven doing? He needed to move on!

Naruto opened the door, still lost in thought, he looked in and his hand dropped away from the door knob. Gaara was bent over his desk eyes shut in ecstasy, with Neji pounding into him from behind.

A/N: Ok…I know evil cliffy…but I'm already working on the next chapter! So it won't be too long ok? And don't hate Gaara…all he wanted was love. It'll get explained soon ok? Ja ne! Oh and sorry folks….I don't think I can make the GaaNaru ending! It's gotten too complicated. Real sorry! Don't hate me!

Taka