Shinobi Secrets

Disclaimer … I don't own Naruto or any of these characters .. Which makes me a very sad girl... Because if I owned Naruto there would be a lot more free cable+ than anyone could handle.

--+ Free Cable: A very odd term my sister and I use for yaoi. Ninjas make good friends... they can jump from roof to roof and get you free cable... ;)

Chapter 13

Under Control

"Of course its fine, you worry too much. I was going to have to cook a lot of food anyway." Sakura turned away from Naruto and headed back into the kitchen to work on preparations for dinner. "They will have to help out, of course. They probably set a table better than you ever could, Naruto." She smiled and shook her head, remembering the last time Naruto failed miserably at setting the table.

"Hey, hey! I wasn't that bad! Geez." Naruto said, coming around the corner. "It's not like I put the plates upside down or anything." He made a pouty face.

Sakura turned and faced him, struggling to hold in a laugh. "Sweetie, you put the chopsticks in the water glases and their napkins on their chairs. Not to mention you forgot to put out soup bowls… Among so many other things…" She smiled and shook her head again. "You got everything I showed you backwards."

"Yeah, well… you make everything so complicated and...and…" He trailed off and pouted again.

"Is she picking on you again?" Sasuke said, stepping into the room, wearing only a towel. He came up behind Naruto and wrapped his arms around his waist. He pressed his lips to Naruto's neck and whispered, "Should we beat her for it?"

Lee cleared his throat and looked up at the ceiling.

Sasuke turned and looked over at the pair standing in the doorway. Suddenly clinging tighter to Naruto's back he stammered,"H-how are you two doing?"

Lee looked down at the floor. "Oh..uh..we're good. I guess. Looks like you guys are all..um.. good too."

"Yes...well... Um.. I think it might be best if I uh.. and.. you know..." Sasuke backed out of the room, shutting the door quickly behind him.

Naruto cleared his throat. He turned and walked through the kitchen, grabbing two handfuls of chopsticks as he headed to the dining room. "So… how long are you two planning to stay in town?" He began placing them at each setting.

Gaara and Lee turned to the stacks of other dishes waiting to be set. Gaara walked to the stack of large plates on the counter and picked them up.

"Just as long as it takes to get the contract and see the wedding through." He began placing the plates neatly on the table, scooting Naruto's badly placed chopsticks aside.

"You make it sound like we are all business and no fun. I was hoping we could make it a permanent move…" Lee said, grabbing a stack of smaller plates and following suit, placing them on the larger ones.

Gaara turned and looked at him. "You know I have my other… business to attend to.." He set the next plate down and stared at it.

"I know.. but… I'm sure we could make it work…" Lee said, absently straightening another set of badly placed chopsticks.

Naruto returned to the counter for the water glasses, the uncomfortable silence beyond his capacity to repair.

"If you guys want to stay here while you're in town, it's fine with me." Came Sasuke's voice from under the towel he was drying his hair with. "And I'd be glad to let you forward any mail or anything like that to the house." He held the towel at his side and shook his head vigorously, his now dry hair falling perfectly into place.

Gaara continued to stare at the plate. Lee spoke up suddenly.

"We would love to, you're far too kind." He kept his eyes on Sasuke's face, afraid he would imagine him all wet in just a towel.

"Then it's settled. I have the perfect room in mind for you two. After we finish in here I'll show you." Sasuke walked over and kissed Naruto on the cheek and grabbed the remaining water glass from his hand. "I'll take care of this, why don't you go and make sure the game room is all in order."

"Okay…" Naruto seemed to be deep in thought as he walked towards the hallway. He stopped in place and turned to face the rest of them. "Should I make sure the guest bathroom is clean too?"

"Yeah. That would be good." Sakura said, turning away from the hot pans in front of her for just long enough to smile at him.

"Okay… See you guys later." He disappeared around the corner.

"He sure seemed like he had something on his mind…" Lee said, grabbing the stack of napkins.

"Yeah." Said Gaara, finally looking up from the plate. "I need to talk to you for a minute…" He turned and walked towards the doorway into the living room, Lee following closely behind.

Sasuke walked up behind Sakura and hugged her tightly. "You sure this party is a good idea? Everyone seems to be a little weird today."

"It will all work out. Just relax. I have it all under control." She turned her head and kissed him softly on the lips.