Chapter 14

Days had passed since my conversation with Temari, which had been to say the least: awkward.

"You know, you and my brother seem awful close lately... not that that's a bad thing of course! It's just, you know... unexpected." She was fidgeting with her fingers, nervous.

"Is that a problem?" Of the many things that came to mind, jealousy was one of the things I could've blamed this conversation on. Either that or bad influence; even though I had been back for a while, the chaos that surrounded the past years of my life was one that would take decades in wearing off and I knew that being around the Kazekage would most definitely raise some eyebrows.

"No, not at all! It's just that I haven't seen my brother smile so much since... well a very VERY long time. He's happy." She was fixated on the stars, smiling. "You'd be surprised on how little you can smile when you live in the middle of the dessert with a town strapped to your shoulders. My brother... he deserves to be happy and I'm glad you brought that to his life."

"...what?" I felt I had lost track of this conversation, because for a second it had seemed she was implying I was here to make her brother happy.

"Look, I understand you don't need my blessing or any other type of acknowledgment from anyone, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that i'm happy for you and Gaara. You truly make a great and powerful couple." Wait... what?

"You believe that your brother and I are somehow involved?"

"Well yeah?... I mean you and him are always together and well we all know you're both..." Gay? "and then you came to live here, so I thought maybe..." She looked flustered. "and I've seen him touching your hand... I just though that... well you also seem so comfortable around him, which is unlike you... but-"

"You're rambling." I was shocked to say the least, not that I knew this girl enough to let her know, nonetheless I was. How may other people thought Gaara and I were in some sort of relationship, was this some sort of general knowledge?

"So you're not in a... relationship?"

"No." She looked shocked, but mostly dissappointed and for a second I understood why, but come on! Not at my expense.

She eventually apologized and excused herself, which gave me time alone to think of what she had said.

Obviously she wasn't the only one who though Gaara and I had feelings for each other, and to be honest they were not to be blamed. Gaara and I had gotten pretty comfortable around each other the last couple of days, but I never thought it would be considered anything more than companionship. Maybe even Gaara thought this was relationship.

That conversation had been playing over and over in my head nonstop since that day and was so past done with the headache. Today I would straighten things out.

I saw Gaara approaching by the corner of my eye, and mentally prepared to accuse the Kazekage of fantasizing about having a relationship with me.

"It's unusual to see you so eager to have tea Sasuke. Should I assume you have grown to like this place or is something troubling you?"

How do I put this rationally?

"Are you aware there is nothing happening between us?"

His eyes shot up to look directly into mine, smirk in place. "Yes... is that a problem?"

I felt heat in my face and I silently punished myself for being so stupid. "No, I spoke with your sister a couple of days ago." He lifted his brow. "She believed we were in a relationship of sorts. She's also not the only one who thinks that way. I just wanted to confirm you were aware of that." He smiled.

"You spoke with my sister? You know I'm starting to think you might not be as socially awkward as I thought." He blew over his tea. "Also, you have to understand that their reasoning is completely justifiable, we're both living under the same roof, we're both attracted to men, you on your part are very attractive and we have spent plenty of days together. I think it makes sense." ...he thinks i'm attractive? Wait, what makes sense?

"It makes sense?"

He looked directly at me, face as passive as ever. "To date each other of course." I went cold. "Be honest Sasuke. Look at me and tell me you don't think I'm attractive." And then I felt fire."I'm also the Kazekage which should ount as some points in my favor. Don't you think?"

Was I supposed to answer him?!

"Uh..." and he laughed. Well as much as the Kazekage could laugh.

"Don't worry Sasuke I'm not being serious, but it was fun seeing your skin change colors so quickly." I felt insulted and as I got up to leave he grabbed my sleeve. "Look, I think you're attractive I'm not going to deny it, but I know I'm not what you're looking for, which is why I'm only trying to help you. Let me help you."

So I sat back down and the rest of the tea was sipped over a discussion about the way I approach delicate subjects.

I guess he's not that bad.