Set On Repeat

Suggestions of Music: Switchfoot, "Adding to the Noise."

Author's Note: I'm thinking of ending this lufflely story up soon. In maybe another… five chapters, or so. We shall see; there's still so much to screw up! Also, my wording on this chapter really ticked off my Microsoft Word for some reason… psh.

Disclaimer: You think in the few months that has changed?

Warning(s): Only the usual. Kissing, mwah. Language. Confusing. Anything else? Ah, yes. Gay people. Right. Can't forget that.

…God I hate these things…

On Another Note: In notice to LETmeCRY's birthday. Thank you for being awesome and always talking to me!

Chapter Eleven: Miscommunications Delight

Blue eyes remained unnaturally wide, zeroing on a soft brown color almost immediately. The room was quiet and almost deafening to Naruto as he stared at a blushing Shikamaru. Then, all at once, Shika' pushed the awkward moment aside like it was nothing to be bothered with.

"Are you hungry?" he rushed nervously, moving over to the refrigerator with the noticeable pink-tint still lingering on his cheeks. Sure, on the outside he remained cool and collected (somewhat), but mentally, he was beating himself into a bloody pulp.

Idiot… such a freaking idiot… he'll never act the same again! Dammit, I knew I shouldn't have taken the chance; he's not gay. Or at least he doesn't like me. What the fuck was I thinking? Dammit, dammit, dammit, such a freaking idiot—

His thoughts abruptly stopped where they were, mid sentence, when the blond answered, if hesitantly, "N-no, I'm fine."

Shika' could almost see the chance at something to do to get rid of the awkwardness go flying out the window. Okay, fine. Play the withdrawn, offended, damsel-in-distress, Naruto, Shikamaru somehow managed to think sarcastically.

Finally, after another good ten minutes of silent what-the-fuck-do-I-say, Shika' made up a plausible enough excuse to leave, and promptly did so, with a quick wave.

Naruto, however, remained in what seemed to be all-out, mortified shock. How he had even answered the brunette when he asked if Naruto was hungry, the blond couldn't even begin to wonder. Pushing such curiosities away, he numbly walked over to the couch, and practically passed out.

Where had that fluttery feeling come from?

Sure, he liked Sasuke. A lot, his mind added cruelly. But still.

Shikamaru's kiss was…admittedly nice. So was the accidental one he received quite a while ago (sixth grade to be exact) with a certain someone. But he wouldn't compare the two right now. Another thing was bothering him. Slowly, but it would probably grow in time if he didn't deal with it right now.

Why the fuck did Kiba TELL him!

Sasuke wasn't aware of anything around him, not the music, not himself. Not the chiming of the old clock in the living room, signaling seven o'clock. Itachi wasn't back yet, but he wasn't worried. His brother had a mind of his own.

No, the only thing he was focused on was him. Gaara. Gaara Sabaku, a childhood crush that had somehow developed into something so much more over the years, sitting right here in his own room on his own bed, looking normal enough, if a little nervous.

He didn't even realize the transition the CD made from track to track, eyes staring at the back of Gaara's head as he rambled; something Sasuke never thought he was capable of doing.

"—'cause Kankuro can be pretty stupid sometimes, Temari too. I didn't know they were tricking me into cleaning the house until it was already spotless… stupid me… but it was funny, now that I think back—"

Sasuke wished he could just go on like Gaara; definitely a very good stress-reliever. Though instead he continued to watch the back of that unmistakable red head. He was simply blown away by the fact that he was here by his own will, and talking to Sasuke, nonetheless, but not like the mindless blabber Sasuke had found him in before.

He didn't realize that Gaara had already by now switched subjects. Since when was he so talkative? At school, Gaara was practically a brick wall, showing as much emotion as a locker did when someone slams their fist into it. Worst of all, that was how Gaara treated him at school, too. Was he changing, or did he really just not like Sasuke before at all? Had Sasuke really done something to irk him? Seventh grade was an accident… it's not like he was going to rape Gaara or anything.

Still, Sasuke could understand the cold shoulder. It wasn't everyday your friend came up to you, grabbed your wrist (in front of everyone, might he add), and dead on slam their lips onto yours. That just didn't happen. And to two guys for that matter. At thirteen years old… Yeah, Sasuke could understand the cold shoulder.

He was brought from his thoughts by two pale eyes watching him, as though expecting him to answer something Sasuke didn't know. Oh, crap, don't tell me he asked me something and I wasn't listening…

Instead, Gaara just raised an eyebrow, and continued ranting.

He sure had a lot to talk about, too.

"Gaara?" Sasuke suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?" he responded, turning those piercing eyes on him again, making the black-eyed teen squirm, trying not showing it.

And then Sasuke forgot how to speak, or how to come up with a question to ask Gaara (in hopes of covering up just randomly saying Gaara's name). He sat there, staring into those eyes and wondering why it was so easy to see emotion in them now, if before when Sasuke ever happened to look into Gaara's eyes, all he met was a wall.

Now, he could see curiosity.

Do I really need a question? Sasuke asked himself sarcastically.

Sasuke didn't know what came over him at that moment, or why he did it, or why he needed a reason to do it, but suddenly Gaara's lips just looked so near, and not 'so far away' like they had been back in seventh grade…

He leaned forward, and in an instant, two past-friends-gone-sour let their lips touch, and Sasuke had to admit (in the haze of his own mind), it was the best damn feeling he had ever had before.

Sakura blocked another drunk guy, who practically tripped over his own feet and made instant friends with the floor. Oh, what a night it was unraveling to be.

Lyon had disappeared a little while ago, a rather attractive Goth chick (though Sakura couldn't help but be suspicious that she was quite a jump older than Lyon) clinging to his hip suggestively. The music was pulsing in her ears and was beginning to get annoying; her mind was screeching, actually, from the constant songs that kept playing without an end, it seemed.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she proceeded back into the kitchen, which was what she considered to be the safest place right now. Unfortunately, that didn't turn out well; two people tangled in their own limbs taking up residence on the counter changed her mind immediately. Another thought that made her pause, glance back, and then keep walking (fast) was that they were both girls, and that clothes would most likely soon be removed.

Not that she didn't accept people like that… she just would pass out in embarrassment if she walked in on two people… engaging in such activities with… one another.

With a searing blush on her cheeks, Sakura moved back into the living room, and almost instantly regretted it. Within a few seconds, two guys were trying to back her into the hallway closet. She beat them off without too much difficulty, and made it to the back porch with all her clothes still on.

God, if she had even the faintest idea Lyon was coming to one of these types of parties, she would have screamed at him 'no' until all hell froze over.

The pink-haired girl collapsed into a lawn chair as soon as she was free from the lingering scent of smoke and alcohol, and the pulsing hip-hop music wasn't nearly as deafening. Just as soon as she thought she was escaping the horrible nightmare, a voice broke through her thoughts.

"Heeey, what's a pretty lady like you doing out here all by her lonesome?"

She almost expected it to be another hormone-crazed teenager, or sexual predator, or pedophile, but exhaled in shown relief at the sight of the practically harmless boy. Actually, he looked a little too… harmless.

The green-clad boy dropped next to her and promptly folded his legs, a huge grin on his face. Again, that grin was a little too… happy for her tastes. His cheeks were flushed, and he looked like he was about to pass out—

"Th'name's Lee—"

…which he did not long after.

Gaara was, for lack of better understanding, Shocked. And give that a capital S. Better yet, capitalize every letter. SHOCKED beyond words. Beyond comprehension. What was happening? Are those Sasuke's lips pressed against his?

It sure was.

After a frozen minute, Sasuke withdrew, staring at those mint-green eyes, breathing in Gaara's intoxicating scent, and nothing more. Before he knew what he was doing, the redhead had his fingers laced into Sasuke's inky locks, and was pulling him back down for another breathtaking kiss.

This one was longer, and much more deep. Their walls must have been crumbling by the pure ecstasy, because when Sasuke found himself begging entrance by running his tongue along those soft lips, Gaara opened his mouth willingly. The two were unaware of the music changing, track by track, until settling on the instrumental, "Session."

Sasuke practically died inside when he felt the smaller boy moan into the kiss, and had the sudden urge to have Gaara utter much more than a simple moan. Oh my god, where had his mind gone!

Not like he was paying attention, as Gaara's nails dug into his scalp softly, yet the feeling sat in the back of his mind like an annoying little tick. Maybe one of them was a masochist and minded that sort of feeling, but Sasuke wanted nothing more than to hear Gaara make another noise, so he nibbled lightly on his bottom lip.

This time it was a whimper, and Sasuke smirked maliciously against the redhead's pale lips, not helping but pressing Gaara back gently with his hands until his back was against a pillow.

Sasuke had to keep reminding himself (going as slowly as possible) that if he went too far, at any moment Gaara could change his mind.

But dammit if he hadn't waited for this for so long.

When their lips broke in a desperate gaspfor air, their eyes met and Sasuke noticed how pink Gaara's cheeks were. He looked extremely and irresistibly cute like that.

"S-Sasuke…" he murmured, speechless.

So okay, they weren't the best French kissers in the world; it was their first time after all, but they could still enjoy themselves. Sasuke leant down, watching with satisfaction as Gaara's eyelids fell shut in consent as the black-eyed teen kissed his burning cheek lightly, so softly…

Gaara seemed to realize what kind of position they were in when Sasuke's let his pale and delicate hands set themselves on the redhead's hips. His eyes opened to half-mast in alarm; he'd never done this before, oh my god, oh my god… He was practically hypervenalating, but did his best to ignore it as the Uchiha's tongue once again found itself in a very attractive mouth.

This time, Sasuke was the one to moan, catching Gaara off guard. But the redhead unfortunately realized how wonderful it sounded, and couldn't help but close his eyes again.

Thank you god, Gaara thought hazily.

(A/N: Psh. Your typical cheesy make-out scene. XP)

Sakura rolled her eyes at the green lump-of-a-person on the ground, gingerly stepping over him and walking back into the still partying household. She didn't even know whose house this was. Though reentering was obviously a bad idea, because almost at once the guy (Kans, her mind tagged him) came stalking over with a drunken grin.

"S'you."

"…Yeah…" she said cautiously.

A wily look crept over his features.

Oh, crap, she thought, backing away quickly and back into the kitchen. He didn't look like he was planning to follow her, but he did continue to watch her even as she disappeared around a corner. Sakura absently noticed the girl with him from earlier was no longer there.

Going into the kitchen was yet another bad idea, because the two girls on the counter were still there, and this time, if possible, were even farther in their… escapade to ecstasy.

She bit back a yelp and ran out of the room through the other door at the far end, a deep blush on her cheeks and a hand slapped over her eyes. In the entrance hallway, Sakura finally realized just how sick to her stomach she felt with the constant smell of alcohol and cloud of smoke in the air. In hopes of getting some air, she made her way over to the door, but not before pausing at a haphazardly open closet door.

"L…Lyon?" she questioned to herself in disbelief, hoping that head of dyed hair was not her younger stepbrother. It was him. Sakura realized this when his name was muttered by a female voice, inside of the closet.

Annoyed more than anything, Sakura stomped over and slammed the door open, eyes narrowed. She grabbed the boy's ear with two blue-painted fingernails, and drug him out of the Goth chick's clutches. "Come on," she hissed, dragging him all the way out the front door before he could even protest.

"Sakura, dammit—"

"Shut up, we're going home," she cut in sternly.

He fumed. "The bus doesn't come out here this late."

Sakura was about to rip his head off. "You mean to tell me that… UGH! YOU PLANNED THIS!" she shouted accusingly, though her voice not being much higher than the music still blasting, seeing as they were only on the front step of the house.

Lyon just shrugged and glared in a different direction.

"Well, then," she said mostly to herself, trying not to kill him on the spot. "I'll call someone; I have my cell phone after…"

He looked over at her when she failed to finish her sentence. "What?" Lyon snapped moodily.

Sakura sighed. "Only numbers I have are of people who most likely won't be able to come. Oh well. I'll try anyway."

Lyon just went back to glaring at the offending sidewalk in front of them. She began to punch Sasuke's number in, hoping against all hope his brother would be there and would spare them a ride.

It rang.

And rang.

And rang some more.

Just as Sakura had enough and was about to hang up, the machine came on, and Itachi's dull voice (though it always seemed dull to her) said some crisp "Call me back later" sentences and began to list off the numbers to his cell. When he went to repeat it a second time, she dove for a pen in her purse and desperately grabbed Lyon's arm (he sent her a burning glare) to scribble the numbers down in time.

When she finished, Sakura pocketed the pen and Lyon just turned his back, scowling like usual. Then she punched the new number in (after saving it under 'Itachi'), held it to her ear, and waited.

And waited.

On the fourth ring, she began to get frantic.

Finally, a voice on the other end picked up. There was silence, before a rushed-sounding, dull voice spoke, "Hello?"

"Itachi!" Sakura practically screamed into the phone. She could almost sense his wince and frown.

"Sakura? What? Call Sasuke—"

"I did; he didn't answer."

There was a colorful curse on the other end. "Well what is it? I'm short on time."

"Well… uh…" When it came to actually asking him, Sakura had no idea what to say. "I'm kind of… stuck at this party, right… and…"

"Sakura?" He sounded a little annoyed.

"There's drunk people everywhere and I have no way to get home… with my stepbrother in tow."

Silence. Then, "Oh."

"Yeah…" she said awkwardly. "So I was wondering… if at all possible, could you, you know… come get us…"

More silence; it sounded like Itachi was thinking deeply on the other line. "…Where is it?" he finally breathed, sighing in defeat.

She smiled, despite the predicament and how pissed off Itachi probably was. Turning to Lyon, she quickly told him the address, and said her farewells, thanking him profusely.

"I'll be there soon. …Damn Sasuke…"

Sakura hung up the phone, still slightly smiling at her good fortune.

Haku glanced at his watch with a pained expression. Wasn't it eleven o'clock yet? His watch, though, told him differently. No, it was barely ten-thirty.

He never liked waiting anyway.

At last, with him leaning against the black pole of a dim light by an old sit-and-eat movie theater, the waiting ceased when a teenager approached him, pale features set in a frown.

"Why am I here again, dare I ask?" he drawled to the brown-eyed teen.

Haku just snickered. The other boy could've sworn it was more of a giggle. "Because you love me. At least you came somewhat early; I was dying from the suspense!"

"I still don't understand why it had to be so late—"

"Hurry up! They're waiting." The longhaired brunette beckoned, scurrying off down the sidewalk, past the old movie theater a ways.

"Oh, God forbid…" But Neji went along anyway, cursing his agreement the entire time.

When they reached the small store-type shop, Haku hastily pulled out a key from his pocket and opened the locked door. He stepped inside, and Neji did the same, rolling his eyes.

Haku waved momentarily to the brunette girl behind the counter, and she smiled. "What's up? I thought your shift ended." Neji wondered why a place like this even stayed accessible so late at night.

"My shift never ends, dear," Haku snickered (giggled).

Soon, Haku drug the smaller boy into the back room, and pointed at a stack of cages by the back wall, almost overflowing with giddiness. "Look, look!"

Neji stepped over, a little hesitant, and then practically face-vaulted into the ground. Haku suddenly doubted the original reaction he had expected. Boy was he right. "THIS IS WHAT YOU BROUGHT ME OUT HERE TO SEE AT TEN-THIRTY AT NIGHT!" Neji nearly screeched, causing the brunette girl in the front of the pet store to wince, even being so far away.

"W-well, yeah… Don't you like them? I just got them this morning! I've been dying to show you all day—"

"I hate cats," he muttered darkly.

Behind him, a white kitten let out a curious mew.

Haku squealed, ignoring a murderous glare from his friend.

What pulled him back from his dream-turned-reality wasn't the knock of the front door and the announcement that Itachi had returned home. There were two more voices, but neither of the two boys heard it, "Numb" playing loudly in the background. 'Sides, their lips were locked, still, tongues twining.

Thankfully, Sakura knocked before pretty much bounding on in there. Gaarasqueaked and yanked back, much to Sasuke's disappointment (he wouldn't have cared if Sakura had entered without knocking), the cutest blush on his face. He lay there for a second, under Sasuke, before sitting up abruptly (almost bashing heads with Sasuke in the act) and practically dove under a pillow.

Sakura walked in, looked from Sasuke's wide eyes to Gaara's… well, she couldn't really see Gaara's face from her spot by the door; he had a pillow over his head, and looked like he would rather smother himself than face his pink-haired acquaintance.

"…Uh, I can explain…" Sasuke spoke up softly.

Sakura fixed the black-eyed boy with a knowing look, and then said, "You didn't try to rape him again, did you?"

One could almost hear Gaara whimper. But whether from embarrassment, or restrained laughter, neither knew.

Lyon glanced the college student over with pure curiosity. He would've looked like your average gothic wanna-be, if it weren't for the eyes and the way his expression was so hard and controlled. Lyon almost backed down. Almost. But then again, Lyon never backed down from a challenge. No eighteen-year-old college student could scare him. Even if he was five years younger.

So a glaring match commenced.

Unfortunately, Sakura skittering out of a room down the hall with the most surprised expression on her face interrupted it. Lyon cast an annoyed look in her direction and went to sit on the couch, propping up his ratty old Converses. Not in defeat, no, far from it. Just in temporary stall.

Itachi could really care less, actually. He was just intrigued by how this thirteen-year-old, I-don't-understand-the-functions-of-life-quite-yet, had managed to withhold a leveled glare from his own narrowed eyes. He was about to continue this train of thought, but Sakura's cat-like smirk cut him off, and he raised an eyebrow at her flustered yet overall 'satisfied' smile.

His silence was enough to show Sakura what he was thinking, because she spoke up not a second later, "Your brother, has had his, um… feelings… returned, I guess you could say."

Itachi nearly burst out laughing. But that was a thing much too out of character for him to do. Maybe in an alternate universe.

"Did they use protection?" he asked blandly, expression serious. Sakura automatically swatted him on the arm, and ignored another questioning look from the college teen. "Well did they? I don't want my brother getting an STD."

She cracked an amused look to that. "First of all, they didn't even get that far. And second, I don't think Gaara has any dis—"

"I don't have any what?" a voice asked suddenly, accompanied by the other black-haired brother, which had his head bowed; but one could almost sense he was grinning.

"Uh—" Sakura began, but was cut off.

"—Disregard to life," Itachi interrupted.

"Hey Itachi?" Sasuke said suddenly.

"What?"

"Does that have anything to do with anything?"

Luckily, Sakura had the brilliant idea that it was just about time for some sort of dinner, even as the clock regally struck eleven.

"Hey, Sasuke?" Gaara whispered to the black-eyed teenager after they both had gathered enough courage to even glance at each other again.

"Yeah?"

"Sasori isn't back yet."

"I know."

That was to be expected from him. They just prayed he would use protection.

End of Chapter Eleven

YAY! I FEEL SO… SO ACCOMPLISHED. And wow, this didn't even have a cliffhanger at the end! Praise!