D A/N: Naruto and characters do not belong to me………………………UU;

Chapter 11

Being in Gaara's arms had never felt so good, making Neji wish to never leave them. But when a medical Nin was brought forward, Neji was forced to part and allow his body to be tended to. He didn't have much strength to resist even if he had wanted to, but as long as Gaara was near him, he would comply to get things done quickly. In truth, all Neji wanted was to just curl up beside Gaara and just listen to his heartbeat. But that wish would probably not be granted for a little while.

Gaara had recalled how anxious Naruto had been while waiting for Sasuke to get out of Kiba's house while Gaara himself had waited before entering moments later. Naruto had looked so pale and he had begun to pace. He had looked trapped. That was how Neji looked now. Trapped. Pale and anxious. By all means he knew Neji had every reason to be, but still he did not like the thought of Neji suffering in any way like this. But for the moment, all he could do was sit close and offer what little comfort that he could offer.

The red head stood up and began to walk slowly in circles behind Neji as the doctor cleaned and bandaged Neji before sitting back slowly. "Is everything okay?" Gaara stopped walking and turned to face the doctor. He was worried that he would find something critical with Neji.

"No, everything is fine but Neji-san should be advised to rest for at least a weak and eat only healthy light foods. His bandages should be checked regularly and this salve should be applied each time you change them…" The doctor held up the salve before placing it in Neji's hands. "And Gaara-sama, please get off that foot!"

Gaara glanced down to the bandaged limb and scowled. Tossing himself in the nearest chair, he hooked his injured leg over his other knee. "Stop with that "san" and "sama". No need to be so formal." Gaara spoke sternly, as he watched Neji smile beneath his hair as he looked at the ground with nothing better to do.

"Eh…um…sorry…" The doctor stammered before getting to his feet and approaching Gaara. "Please put your foot up on my knee." He knelt before the red head and began to attend to his injury.

Through the corner of Gaara's eye, he could see Neji watching. His eyes were dull but attentive and his hands were now fisted in his lap. Was he blaming himself for what happened? Gaara wondered, but put the thought aside for now. It wasn't the time to be questioning Neji and his thought as he was quite unstable and shaken after such an ordeal.

By the time the medical Nin had left, Neji was asleep on the bed his legs curled close to his body and his hands tucked beneath his chin like a newborn baby. He seemed to peaceful, but his expression gave it away how he was truly feeling. His lips were narrow and curved downwards slightly, his brows furrowed. His pale skin was now tanned darkly due to the sun. Gaara shifted closer to the bed and gently ran his finger over Neji's chin. He was glad that the Hyuuga didn't flinch or pull away. Careful not to wake him, Gaara slid the blanket from under Neji and gently placed it over his lover, tucking him in gently.

Gaara was not quite sure yet though if he should 'sleep' per say with Neji. So instead, Gaara moved over to the couch and flopped down on the soft red cushions. Gaara kept his gaze fixed on his lover, while his hands played with a loose stitch in the couch patiently. Silence was something that he was used to…yet it wasn't complete silence. He could hear the soothing rhythm of Neji's breathing, his chest rising and falling slowly beneath the silk blanket that covered him. When Neji moved slightly, Gaara could hear the shuffle of the blankets before only breathy sighs and takes of breath could be heard once more. It was calming, soothing for Gaara to just listen to Neji- whether he said anything or not. Peace these days was hard to come by. Something was almost always happening. And to have a moment like this…was almost too good to be true…

- - -

Pale lavender eyes peered out from dark lashes, half expecting to see sand and a body that belonged to someone he had once called a lover. But he saw none of that. He was in bed, a familiar silky white blanket tucked over him and a fluffy beige pillow to match was beneath his head. Stretching slowly, he winced as parts of his body groaned in protest. He sat up, the blanket pooling around his waist, baring his chest that was now clad in a grey long sleeve shirt.

Neji lifted the blankets off him and got off the mattress. Looking back to the bed, Gaara was not there making Neji's heart race a little.

"Neji? What are you doing?" Gaara snapped as he came into their bedroom to see Neji standing by the mirror. "You should be resting." Gaara placed the tray of food he had got on the table by the door and limped his way over to his lover.

"And you aren't supposed to be on that foot of yours." Neji replied, his voice having a tint of his old sarcasm in it. To say the least, this pleased Gaara. Neji allowed Gaara to guide him over to the bed without a fuss and sat down.

"I'll be off it in just a moment. Promise." Gaara replied as he retrieved the tray and closed their bedroom door for some well deserved privacy. All morning Gaara's siblings (Temari was fully recovered) had been in and out to check on them and Ukon would drop by occasionally. It was near lunch so Gaara had decided that Neji would be waking soon and would most likely be hungry.

Neji sidled back so he rested up against propped pillows as Gaara shuffled up beside him careful not to tip the tray. Neji's eyed his lover. His hair was as unruly as ever and his skin had become quite darker due to being outside a lot more then normal-but it was probably said to be the same for himself. He wore his usual attire or dark red and grey, the only difference was he wore capries due to the bandages on his one leg. His tattoo stood vibrant against his skin, his hair covering it more so due to the fact Gaara had neglected to cut it.

"So what did you bring us?" Neji inquired. His eyes wondered over the tray Gaara had now in his lap as he sat beside Neji. Neji enjoyed this aspect. Having Gaara make him breakfast and serve it to him in bed. It was almost like they were newlyweds…a thought Neji could only blush over profusely. Rather then thinking of what could be, Neji looked at the tray to focus on what was now. "I've missed your cooking. Who taught you again?" Neji asked, though he was sure that his voice sounded wispy of sorts.

"Hmm? Oh…I taught myself…my siblings weren't around to much when I was little…" Gaara replied as he moved the tray so that they could share it. In all reality, Yashamaru had helped him out a little. When ever his uncle would cook for him, Gaara would stand by the kitchen door, silently observing the craft of cooking a decent meal. Not that Yashamaru had ever known that Gaara had done such a thing. After all, why would a demon vessel want to learn to cook when they could just scare someone into doing it for them? Something so sentimental, Gaara kept to himself. He had trusted Yashamaru, and in the end, even his uncle had hated him. Not surprising really, when Gaara thought back about it.

"…ara…Gaara?" The voice was gentle but stern. They sounded concerned, yet their voice held no demands or order in it as they called his name. No one ever really called him imploringly. No one held such respect for him as a person, and Gaara liked hearing his name being called, but at some point, should he answer it?

Gaara snapped his head up and blushed realizing he had completely zoned out and ignored Neji. "Ye…Yes? Sorry!" Gaara replied. Receiving a skeptic stare, Gaara was sure the brunette was going to scold him.

Neji wasn't sure if Gaara was alright or not. He knew Gaara better then most others. His face expression wasn't exactly happy but it wasn't exactly distressed either. "Oh…nothing! Don't worry; hey do you want to try something out?" Neji questioned, allowing a small smile to creep up onto his features. Why hadn't they thought of this before? Neji wondered, as he inched closer to his lover.

Gaara, sensing something was up, curiously encircled his arm around Neji's waist pulling him up against his side. "What do you have in mind?" He questioned, his jade eyes peering into pearly white ones that were tinted with mischief.

Picking up one of the grapes that had been in a bowl beside the main dish on the tray, Neji rolled it between his slender fingers. Slowly, he drew the green sweat fruit up to his lips. Slowly he ran his tongue over it, bringing it to between his lips. To say Neji was talented with his mouth was an understatement, Gaara thought as he held back the drool that was now forming in his mouth as he watched his lover play with the grape.

After a few moments of playing, Neji leaned up to Gaara, and with the grape between his lips, pushed his mouth over Gaara's. Catching on quickly to what Neji was after; Gaara parted his lips and allowed Neji to push the grape and his tongue into Gaara's open mouth. He felt Gaara's tongue press and wrap around his before he took the grape. With a smile, Neji pulled back moving to take another grape. Neji barely got the second grape past his lips before Gaara's mouth was over his, his tongue ravishing his hot mouth before with deliberate slowness, taking the little fruit.

A little hesitant at first, Gaara pulled Neji onto his lap, his legs straddling his thighs. Neji looked down at him, his eyes wide. His normally tranquil features seemed agitated, as if was scared. Smiling gently, Gaara reached up and gentle traced his fingers across Neji's cheek then ran his fingers through the long chocolate stands of hair. With each gentle caress, Neji began to relax, a smile gracing his features once more. His hand, though still shaking lightly, reached up and encircled Gaara's neck. The close proximity between their bodies was comfortable, becoming more relaxed. This was something Gaara had missed. How he hated Kiba for taking his Neji away from him. He would never have brought such fear into Neji's existence.

"Sorr-" Neji couldn't continue as two pale fingers pressed to his lips, silencing him in a gentle manner. Gaara just gazed at him, his eyes calm and focused. Neji closed his lips, kissing the fingers before they pulled away.

"You," Gaara began, "Have nothing to be sorry for. Don't let me hear you say it unless you have broken that vase I bought you three years back."

Neji giggled at the memory. The vase was the absolutely most beautiful thing besides Gaara Neji had ever touched or seen. It had been an impulsive buy, but in the end, it was what had made them meet again as Neji had gone flower shopping and bumped into Gaara breaking a vase he had bought for himself. Neji was still apologizing for it now.

Gaara smirked as a heavy blush covered his lover's cheeks before he burst out laughing. "How about we finish off those grapes?"

Neji smiled, nodding his head. "Gladly!"

- - -

Ukon rested on his stomach, his hands below his chin. His eyes observed the village as he rested on the roof leisurely. He had to find a way to tell Gaara about what he had overheard. He highly doubted that Gaara would forgive the Inuzuka; even if he knew he was being controlled. He would tolerate the other only if Neji asked him to.

Pushing himself to a sitting position, he looked at Kankuro who sat down beside him.

"Here, I thought you would be with your brother." Kankuro stated, as he rested back on his wrists, his legs stretched out before him.

Ukon shrugged. "I'll go down shortly. Why aren't you there?" His retort was simple, but it underlined that Ukon desired to be alone.

"So, care to tell me what's on your mind?"

Ukon looked over at Kankuro, the request a surprise. Had he seen though him, though he tried to hide his thoughts? "You…" Ukon sighed, as Kankuro raised an eyebrow. "It's about Kiba…"

TBC.

Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews my fic. Much appreciated and sorry that it took me so long (I just had to switch over part time jobs and am having issues (had) with a teacher of mine). Hopefully I can update quicker now!

Once again thank you to my wonderful beta TenshiXXX. Amazing isn't she?! Go read her fan fiction! I love them all!!!!

Until I update again CIAO