A/N: Once again this was beta-ed by the one and only Mei-chan! For chapter 11 she was paid five bananas for her services.

Chapter 11

Gaara's eyes opened, only to be greeted by the dim light filtering into the room. Through the silence that pervaded the room, he listened to the soft breathing of his companion. Soft snores escaped the blond every now and then as he lay with one arm gripping the redhead. Gaara lifted his head slightly to stare down at the offending arm as his bladder screamed at him. With a sigh, he pried the arm off his person and shoved it aside earning a belligerent grunt from the owner.

"I need to use the bathroom." The redhead stated as a pair of sleepy, blue eyes opened to look at him. Naruto grumbled something incoherent before rolling over and going back to sleep. Smoothly, Gaara slipped from under the sheets, his bare feet coming into contact with the cold floor. He shivered slightly as he searched through the darkness for his clothing that Naruto had unceremoniously dumped on the floor. Finding his pants, he tugged them on, not bothering to pull on his boxers or shirt and padded to the bathroom.

Gaara frowned as he zipped up his pants from relieving himself. His clothes were steadily becoming tighter than he preferred them to be meaning he would have to get new clothes soon. As he washed his hands, his mind wandered back to what Naruto had done to him earlier that night. The feel of Naruto's mouth on him would be something he'd never forget. A delicious tingle ran through the redhead's body at the thought. He lifted his eyes to stare at the bright red bruise on his collarbone.

Now that he wasn't consumed by a primal need, Gaara found himself wondering how things had gotten to this point. Was what Naruto did to him something that friends did? Was it normal for friends to kiss the way they did, touch the way they did, desire each other the way he wanted Naruto? His desire for the blond was steadily growing, engulfing him, consuming him in a way that made Gaara wary. This was a part of him that had always remained dormant and ignored, smothered by the dark events and emotions that overshadowed his life. Then came along Naruto and he couldn't stop the inferno that was gradually building inside him.

Whenever he thought he had it in check, Naruto would do something like what he'd done earlier that would ignite Gaara in a way that threatened to consume him. Naruto would cause his need for him, for the blond's mere presence, to spike to new levels. The blond was becoming like a drug and Gaara was afraid because a part of him knew that Naruto was becoming something he would happily kill to keep. Gingerly, he touched the mark on his collarbone with his finger causing him to wince as it burned. He would have to remember to return the favor. Running a hand through his bed tousled hair, the redhead exited the bathroom.

"How about a late night snack, hmm?" a voice greeted him as he opened the door.

The request caught Gaara by surprise, causing him to freeze. His eyes carefully studied the man slouching against the wall across from the bathroom, his lower face hidden behind a little orange book. The teenager's grip on the doorknob tightened as he observed the older man, his feeling of unease returning full force. Gaara stood staring at Kakashi, his features a cool mask as he tried to understand the cause of his unease. Even though Kakashi hadn't been openly hostile to him during his time there, he still couldn't disregard the feeling of distrust he received whenever he was around the older man.

"I'm not hungry." Gaara said finally, feeling a sense of pride as his voice came out steadily, not revealing what he truly felt. Kakashi lowered his book to look at the young man staring up at him. Neither said anything as they stared at each other for a moment. With a sigh, the man pushed himself off the wall and shut his book with a loud snap.

"It really wasn't a request meant to be refused." Kakashi said, giving Gaara a commanding look before making his way to the kitchen, not waiting to see if Gaara was following. Gaara didn't even hesitate as his feet blatantly disregarded his brain and moved to follow the older man.

"Sit." Kakashi said flatly as he began rummaging through a drawer.

Gaara sat down, his brows furrowing slightly at the tone Kakashi was using. He watched the silver-haired man retrieve two bowls, two spoons and an ice-cream scoop. Reaching into the refrigerator, Kakashi pulled out a tub of vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. Neither said anything as Kakashi served them both and placed the bottle of syrup between them. Gaara observed this through narrowed, green eyes.

"Nothing like vanilla ice cream while having a chat, no?" Kakashi said amiably as he opened his book and began to eat.

Gaara said nothing as he eyed the man suspiciously before looking at the bottle of chocolate syrup hungrily.

"Don't hold back on my account." Kakashi said.

"What do you want?" Gaara asked as his gaze went back to the older man.

"Eat."

The redhead frowned at Kakashi's tone. Kakashi simply ignored it as he ducked behind his book and continued to read while savoring his ice cream. With a huff, Gaara reached for the bottle of chocolate syrup and began to empty its contents on the two scoops of ice cream in his bowl. Kakashi cocked an eyebrow but didn't comment as he watched the younger man drown his ice cream in syrup. Gaara looked up to find Kakashi staring at his bowl with amused, mismatched eyes.

"I…like chocolate." He mumbled as he closed the bottle and set it down. He'd suddenly felt the ridiculous need to explain his actions to this man. Kakashi's eyes curved upwards in a smile before he returned to eating and reading his book. Gaara ate slowly, every now and then glimpsing at the other man. His unease was slowly fading as Kakashi remained hidden behind his book and his attention was quickly occupied by the sugary, chocolate goodness in front him.

"How are your siblings?"

The question surprised Gaara, causing him to pause with his spoon half way to his mouth. He looked up to see Kakashi's bowl empty and the orange book lowered. Gaara stared, his spoon hovering over his bowl. Kakashi's mask was gone; or rather it lay bundled around his neck. Even though they'd had dinner together, Gaara hadn't actually seen the man's face. Naruto had told him to give up half way through dinner since he wasn't going to see it unless Kakashi wanted him to. Gaara's eyes trailed from the sculpted chin to full pink lips, a smooth nose, back up to a richly hued, gray eye, its companion a strange red hue. Gaara wondered what the story would be behind those eyes. A thin scar ran from his hairline to just above his lip, dissecting the distinctively red eye. Kakashi cleared his throat as his lips curved into a smirk. Gaara felt his face heat up as he lowered his eyes to the half empty bowl in front him.

"They are fine." The redhead mumbled as he once again became occupied by his chocolate coated ice cream.

"That's good to hear." Kakashi said amiable. "How are things at that gallery of yours? What's it called? Desertum? I've heard its getting quite popular, particularly those pieces by the artist Shukaku."

Gaara choked on his ice cream. Green eyes snapped up to stare at the silver-haired man. Kakashi simply stared back casually as he watched Gaara's eyes widen before narrowing.

"How do you know about that?" Gaara demanded; his voice hard, his mind screaming alert. Kakashi didn't say anything as he watched Gaara's face harden into an unreadable mask, his eyes darkening. The redhead was reacting, his defenses building, ready to protect himself from a perceived threat like a wild animal.

"Not even Naruto knows about that, so how do you know?" Gaara asked again.

"You'd be surprised what you can find out in my line of work." Kakashi said lightly as he served himself another scoop of ice cream. Gaara remained silent, his eyes fixed on the silver-haired man.

"It seems your brother and sister has adjusted to life in Konoha after you guys moved here from Suna quite nicely, although Kankurou is quite the alcoholic or so I've heard." Kakashi continued as he met the gaze of the teenager."You know, it's not really a conversation unless you talk as well."

Gaara's mind was racing as he watched the older man across from him; his body unmovable.

"How much do you know?" Gaara whispered, his voice barely audible as something he hadn't felt since he was a child began crawling through him.

"Hmm? Maa…let's see what I can remember. Ah…I know about your mother who died in child birth, I know who and what your father was. It was a great relief for Konoha when he died by the way." Kakashi said as he waved his spoon in the air. "But you didn't hear that bit from me."

Gaara said nothing as he felt his heart speed up.

"I know what happened in that playground when you were ten. It's a miracle that kid survived with only some scars as permanent damage. I know what they did to you after that. I know you started painting while you were there. Hell, I even know your shoe size. Most importantly, I know about your uncle Yashamaru, I know how he died when you were eight. I know how he really died. "

Gaara felt his body go numb as the words fell from Kakashi's lips as though they were simply a recap of a weather report. As Gaara stared into cold, intense eyes, he couldn't help but feel like a child being chastised for what he'd done. He suddenly felt exposed under the gaze of this man, this man that Naruto held dear. He suddenly felt like he was being tested and he was failing miserably and once more he was being branded a monster, feared and shunned.

Kakashi watched as Gaara's chest fell and rose with quick bursts of breath, his thin frame shaking. His brows furrowed as he watched Gaara's eyes begin to dilate as a hand reached up to grip the scar on his forehead. The silver-haired man frowned as Gaara's face contorted in pain.

"Calm down." Kakashi commanded. The sharp tone caused Gaara's eyes to focus on Kakashi once more. A twinge of guilt ran through the older man as he stared at the redhead's eyes.

"What do you want?" Gaara asked, his voice calm and low, his hand white from being clenched as his breathing slowed. Kakashi cocked an eyebrow at the sudden change in Gaara's demeanor.

"What do you think I want, Gaara?" the man asked. The two stared at each other, Gaara contemplating the question as he held the gaze of the silver-haired man. Kakashi didn't look away as he patiently waited for the redhead's words.

"Naruto." Gaara whispered wincing from a sharp throb that erupted from his scar.

"What about him?"

"This involves him."

"Why would you say that?"

"I have no other connection to you."

Kakashi smiled, his eyes curving upwards.

"And they said you weren't smart."

"Why are you doing this?"

The older man sighed as he leaned forward.

Gaara growled at Kakashi's continued silence, his grip tightening on the spoon.

"You're going to tell Naruto..." Even as the redhead said that, he felt his insides clench at the thought of Naruto finding out.

"What if I do? What will you do?"

Gaara didn't answer as he lowered his gaze to the bowl of ice cream. His scar throbbed as he watched the trails of chocolate mingle with the melting ice cream.

"Y-you can't."

"I can't?" Kakashi repeated as he placed his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his palm. "And why can't I tell him?"

Gaara remained silent as he pressed his palm against his scar and closed his eyes.

"Tell me, Gaara - why can't I tell Naruto?"

"He-he'll leave me… if you tell him… just like everyone else… he'll try to leave." Gaara growled out.

Kakashi blinked at this, the tone of the paleman's voice taking him by surprise. If he hadn't heard it himself, he would have doubted it even came from the stoic redhead. Somehow, it seemed too animalistic, too desperate to be human.

The kitchen lapsed into silence as Kakashi watched the younger male sitting across from him; body slouched as he gripped his forehead.

"Your scar hurts, doesn't it?" the silver-haired man asked, breaking the silence. "Even though it's healed completely, it still hurts sometimes. No one could figure out why other than psychological stress. That's what your doctor said at the institute. Psychosomatic."

"You can't tell him!"

Kakashi remained motionless as Gaara's hand slammed on the table shaking it.

"You're going to wake the others if you keep up that noise." Kakashi muttered softly.

"You can't!" Gaara said again, his voice pleading as his eyes searched the older man.

Kakashi sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Gaara…I never intended to tell him."

Gaara froze, searching the silver-haired man's face for any trace of a lie. Kakashi shrugged.

"It's not my place to tell Naruto. To be honest with you, I'm not even sure how much of a difference it will make to him. Your pasts aren't that very different. I'll tell you this, though - Naruto is one of the most precious people in my life. I've seen him go through enough because of his blind need to help those close to him even when that person doesn't want his help. Even though he won't admit it, Naruto is a selfless idiot that doesn't know when to give up. He hasn't realized that not everyone is worth throwing his life away for. Understand this, you hurt him in any way, any way that he doesn't deserve, and I swear you'll think your life in Suna was heaven compared to what I'll do to you."

Gaara said nothing as he stared at the silver-haired man, his face reverting to its usual stoic mask at the threat.

"You're threatening me now?" Gaara asked, his voice flat. His defenses were flaring, baring its teeth. Kakashi cocked an eyebrow as he wondered if it was possible for Gaara to be bipolar. The kid switched moods as much as Naruto did... well, maybe not as much, but he sure could pull his mask back on in a heartbeat.

"Threat? Don't be ridiculous. Threats are very childish and they just don't work like they used to anymore…" Kakashi said as he scratched at his chin."Maa, think of it as a promise."

Gaara gave the older man a look that could freeze hell. Kakashi smiled as he pulled his mask back up.

"Tell me, Gaara, what would you do if Naruto tried to leave you?"

Gaara's eyes hardened at the question, his entire body going even more rigid as a cold emptiness seeped through him at the thought of Naruto leaving him.

"I see..." Kakashi studied the boy as he wondered if the loss of his uncle was the catalyst that lead to that look in Gaara's eyes.

"Well, as much fun as this was, I need to get back to bed and the warm body waiting for me there." The man said as he stood up and returned the ice-cream and syrup to the refrigerator.

"Be a good boy and don't tell Naruto about this chat. Well, I probably won't have to worry about that... Ah, one more thing…" Kakashi said as he fished a cell phone out of his pocket.

"Hold still." The older man said as he flipped the phone open and focused it on Gaara. Said redhead glared at the phone and the man holding it. The sound of something clicking caused him to blink.

"Just wanted a picture of that lovely red mark there." Kakashi said as he pointed at the hickey standing out against pale skin. "For Iruka, you see."

Gaara remained silent as he glared at the other man.

"Well, goodnight." Kakashi said pleasantly as he exited the kitchen. "And do keep it down next time if you and Naruto decide to have some fun. While I acknowledge you're both healthy young men, Iruka does need his rest. " The silver-haired man called lightly as he left the kitchen.

"Oh and Gaara, if Naruto ever tries to leave you, you will let him."


"Gaara?"

The redhead wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting in the kitchen when the sound of Naruto's sleep laden voice reached him. Gaara looked up to see Naruto staring at him through bleary eyes, blond hair messy from sleep.

"What are you doing here?" Naruto asked as he yawned while rubbing his eyes. Gaara didn't answer as he returned his gaze to the bowl of melted ice cream. Naruto observed the redhead slouched over in his chair, one hand resting idly on the table as the other brought a cigarette to his lips.

"Gaara?" Naruto called again as he moved closer to his friend. "Are you okay?... Why are you in the kitchen?"

The redhead didn't reply as he stared at the smoke that flowed from his lips, his eyes not seeing what lay before him. He'd been reliving his past, silently in the kitchen, sifting through memories that he'd forgotten, memories that Naruto had replaced but were now once more awakened by Kakashi's words. Kakashi had said he wouldn't tell Naruto but he'd threatened him creating a conundrum that represented the older man in Gaara's mind. If Kakashi decided to tell Naruto, there was nothing Gaara would be able to do. If Naruto wanted to leave him, Gaara would be useless to stop him. Kakashi would make sure of it. The fierce protectiveness the older man displayed for the blond was so foreign to Gaara. The pain of his scar had subsided to a dull ache as he sat mulling over his memories, Kakashi's words... Naruto... It all came back to the enigma that was Naruto. Gaara didn't even feel his usual ire at his predicament because it all came back to the blond standing next to him. Kakashi had said Naruto was one of his most precious people. Naruto had said the two older men, sleeping not too far from them, were two of the blond's precious people. Gaara's fingers twitched as the feel of something warm embraced them. Gaara glanced to his hand as warm, tanned fingers wrapped around them.

"What it it with you and smoking in other people's kitchens?" Naruto commented.

"Gaara…"

"What is it like?"

"Huh?"

"Tell me, Naruto, what is it like…to be someone's precious person?" the redhead asked softly as he looked up at the azure eyes staring back at him. Naruto frowned slightly as he stared with confused eyes at the boy sitting in the chair, looking at him expectantly. Gaara's smooth features remained calm as always but the look in his eyes bothered Naruto. The teal pools shimmered with vulnerability and hurt, years of pain emanated from them, reaching out their clammy claws towards the blond. Naruto swallowed as he continued to stare into those eyes. Something about the way Gaara looked at him made him want to cry. It was the look he had so long ago, the look that was slowly washed away after he first met Iruka...after he first met that one person that acknowledged his existence more than any others. It was the look he was trying so hard to never have to see in Gaara. Removing the cigarette from Gaara's hand and dropping it into the bowl of ice cream, Naruto pulled the redhead to his feet. Gaara allowed himself to be lead by Naruto.

"Why won't you tell me?"

"You should know the answer to that." Naruto said, smiling lightly at the other man.

Gaara's eyes narrowed as his lips pressed together in a sign of annoyance. Before he could protest, arms wrapped around him, pulling him against the warm, firm body of the blond. Gaara instantly became rigid as he felt his body align with Naruto's.

"You should know the answer because you are someone's precious person, Gaara." Naruto whispered, his breath gently sweeping the red strands that hung over Gaara's ear. "You're my precious person."

Gaara said nothing as his eyes widened, his arms remaining at his side. The way the words fell from Naruto's lips, caressing his ear, it was almost soothing. Suddenly, the memories weren't there anymore, the voice that always screamed at him was silent, his scar didn't throb, and Kakashi's words didn't matter, because Naruto was here with him, living, breathing, holding him, warm. Slowly, the redhead brought his arms up and around the blond's waist. At the feel of arms moving against his skin, Naruto shifted so he could look at the redhead.

"How does it feel?" Naruto asked as he stared into green eyes.

"I- I don't...know."

"You will." Naruto answered as he pressed his lips gently against Gaara's. This time, Gaara didn't hesitate in his response as he pressed his lips against the blond's. As always, kissing Naruto was intoxicating. The feel of moist, hot lips against his own was heady. Finally, Naruto delicately pulled away, taking Gaara's hands in his own.

"Let's go back to bed." The blond said, leading Gaara back to his room.

Gaara followed silently, allowing himself to be tugged along until they entered Naruto's room and shut the door. The instance the door was closed, Gaara pulled the blond back to him and crushed their lips together. Naruto parted his lips, giving the redhead free reign as he wrapped his arms around the other's waist. Gaara pulled away slightly, brushing his lips across the warm skin of Naruto's jaw as he pushed him towards the bed. Naruto collapsed backward, pulling Gaara down unto him. Gaara pressed his body against the blond beneath him as he placed a gentle kiss against his pulse. The soft kiss was soon followed by a sharp bite as Gaara sucked at the exposed neck making Naruto gasp as the feeling shot to his groin.

"Gaara..." the blond groaned the redhead's name as pale slender fingers roved over his body, brushing against taut nipples, caressing sensitive skin.

"I want to touch you...all of you." came the deep, sultry whisper in his ear that had Naruto shivering in anticipation. The blond's eyes slipped closed as his hands fell away from the body above him in surrender.

"Then touch me." Naruto whispered back. Gaara's response was to follow the trails his hands made with his mouth, down the other man's body. Naruto's breath quickened as Gaara's lips grazed against a nipple before being stroked by a hot tongue. The blond moaned and his body shivered under the ministrations as Gaara shifted over him. The friction created by the redhead made Naruto's breath hitch and his member harden further. Gaara's hand moved between their bodies, pausing for a moment at the waist of Naruto's pants. Their eyes locked for moment before Naruto gave a slight nod of permission.

Naruto released a breath he didn't know he was holding as a hand dipped into his pants, fingers grazing through soft hair before circling his erection. A delicious sound escaped pink swollen lips as Gaara stroked the hot organ causing Naruto to buck into his hand. The sounds falling from the blond's lips were making the redhead quickly harden. Pulling away and licking his lips, Gaara removed his hand. Naruto's eyes fluttered open to stare at the redhead.

"Why did you stop?" Naruto asked annoyed. Gaara simply stared at him in a way that had Naruto groaning as he felt his member spasm slightly. Their gaze didn't remain locked for long as Gaara's eyes focused on the skin being revealed as he pulled off Naruto's pants. Naruto bit his lower lip as he watched Gaara's fingers gently stroke his skin. He didn't even bother hesitating to spread his legs as Gaara's hand stroked his inner thigh before moving up to wrap around his rigid member. Naruto was going insane as his arousal hit new heights the more Gaara touched him. This was the first time anyone besides himself had ever touched him in this way.

"Do something..." Naruto panted out as his hands gripped the sheets. Gaara's eyes lifted to stare at the blond's face that was flushed from arousal. Removing his hand, Gaara crawled up the body sprawled before him.

"What do you want me to do?" the redhead whispered into Naruto's ear. Naruto groaned again, his eyes meeting Gaara's. If Gaara kept whispering in his ear like that, Naruto swore he would orgasm with Gaara doing nothing else. Naruto reached his hand forward to tug down the redhead's pants not trusting his voice. Gaara understood as he removed his pants, discarding them on the floor. Naruto glanced down appeciatively at Gaara's arousal before reaching up to the boy and pulling him back down on top him and back into a searing kiss.

The kiss was passionate, fueled by the desire that hung in thick clouds around the two. Gaara ground his hips into Naruto, rubbing their erections together eliciting a sound of pleasure from the blond that reverberated in the kiss. The sound shot through the redhead causing him to move again, pressing his hips into the blond beneath him. With every move Gaara made, Naruto found himself forgetting all else for the pulses of pleasure that flowed through his body as their erections slid against each other. The blond found himself bucking upwards to meet each of Gaara's thrusts. Everything was forgotten as Gaara's head fell to Naruto's shoulder, his hands moving to firmly grip tanned thighs as his thrusts became more forceful.

Naruto wrapped his hands around the redhead, his blunt nails digging into Gaara's back as his room filled with long guttural moans that were being ripped out of him. Their movements were awkward with inexperience. It took some time for them to find a clumsy rhythm and more than once, Naruto felt Gaara's dick slide dangerously close to his entrance and more than once the blond wished that it'd slip inside. The thought of having Gaara inside him, thrusting, pounding had the blond reeling, adding to the momentum as he raced to his release. Or maybe it was the thought of him inside Gaara. The blond wasn't sure which. Gaara's breaths were heavy in his ear indicating the redhead's approach.

"Gaara...I'm..." Naruto didn't get a chance to finish as his orgasm slammed into him dragging a scream from him. If this felt so good, Naruto could only imagine what it would be like with Gaara driving into him. The sound of Naruto's voice drove Gaara to his own cliff as he came, his seed mingling with that of the blond beneath him. The two lay panting, covered in sweat, Naruto's hand lying idly by his side. Gaara pushed himself up to gaze intently at the boy beneath him, red strands sticking to his face, contrasting sharply with pale skin that shone translucent in the dim light filtering into the room. Slowly, Naruto reached up, brushing aside some of those strands.

"That was-" Gaara was at a loss for words.

"Yeah.." Naruto responded breathlessly.

The two continued to stare at each other in the dim light.

"What are you thinking, Gaara?"

Gaara kept his gaze on Naruto as he lowered his face to the other's until their lips were a hair's breath apart.

"I think... no... I know... that sound you just made... I'd like to hear it again..."

Naruto closed his eyes as he felt his body heat up.

"God, Gaara... You can't say stuff like that..."

"Why not? It's true."

Naruto opened his eyes to see Gaara's confused green pools looking at him.

"You have no clue what you're doing, do you?"

Gaara said nothing as he gave Naruto a blank stare. Naruto grinned as he wrapped his arms around the redhead.

"I wonder how long that will last..."

Gaara gave Naruto an odd look before lowering himself again to wrap around the blond.

"You're getting heavy." Naruto mumbled sleepily, his exhaustion catching up with him as Gaara's warmth surrounded him, lulling his body.

"Your fault." Gaara whispered, his lips brushing tanned skin as they moved. Naruto smiled slightly as his hand buried itself in red tresses before he slipped into slumber.


A/N: Thanks for the many reviews and for reading. Hope you enjoyed. Till next time...ja