Chapter 34: A Very Becoming Homecoming

Vastly similar to Naruto's nerves before his meeting with the anonymous Resshin, Gaara found himself in a distressed state.

For once, he worried about what he was going to wear, even though he knows it'll be covered by his winter coat for part of the time; Naruto hadn't slipped a hint (which was frustrating in itself for the blonde to do) about where they were going, merely said it'd be a walk to end the evening with and too meet near the movie theatre.

But the redhead didn't mind. As long as he was with Naruto, he knew he'd have a good time. Because out of everything he's ever done, including going with Temari to the mall or someplace with his family as a child, nothing made him as happy as being with Naruto. For some reason, the blonde brightened his depressing life like a ball of sunshine in a greenhouse. And Gaara was one plant in the center, attempting to soak up every last bit of that delicious sun; or at least as much as he was able to hold.

A purplish-maroon sweater in hand with a white undershirt, Gaara slipped into the bathroom to blow-dry his hair (he couldn't have it freezing outside on his date, now could he?). The fabric of his black slacks rubbed against his hips, leaving gently pink lines as he bent and swerved to heat his crimson locks.

"Got a hot date?" Kankurou asks with a smirk. He leant against the frame of the door while Gaara adjusted the collar and long sleeves of his undershirt.

He unnoticeably jumps at the sound of his older brother's voice. How long has he been standing there? the redhead wonders self-consciously. He didn't fancy the idea of his brother watching him dance with himself to dry his hair. He rolls his light teal orbs. "You already know about my date tonight."

The brunette chuckles. "Yeah, I do. But Uncle Shu doesn't." He lifts his chin. "Going to tell him yet?"

"Perhaps on New Year's," he replies, his voice muffled inside the soft fibers of the sweater.

"You wear a lot of reds, blues, blacks, and whites; do you know that?"

"Do I?" Gaara comments as he tugs the sweater into place over his pants. He fakes a shrug. "I hardly noticed."

Kankurou grins. "You and your Gaaracasm." Gaara hated that phrase; it was a means of mocking him. See, he uses sarcasm often, so Temari and Kankurou – being the smart asses they are – came up with the word a while back. "But I don't know much about fashion and color choices, so who cares?" He pauses as Gaara begins brushing his teeth. "Speaking of fashion… this shirt you and Temari got me? Completely amazing. I was eyeing it and thought it was a frivolous buy. But I love it." He brought his arms down and around himself through the air to indicate the band tee they picked up at the mall some odd weeks ago and presented to him just the other morning on Christmas.

Gaara pushes passed his older brother and heads to his room for the overly thick eyeliner tube his sister bought. While applying it to his bruised lids, top and bottom, he blinks at himself. His hand was shaking. And his lips looked post-chapped with a spot or two of bloody red cracks. He licks his lips, tasting vague traces of steel. Would Naruto kiss him tonight and taste the same thing? He hoped not. But it seemed inevitable.

Sighing through his nose, Gaara tossed the chunky black tube aside and slipped on his socks. Then grabbed his coat, snow boots, and keys. He was as ready as he'll ever be.

"Wait a minute, Gaara," Temari remarks. "Let me replace your bandages. The ones on your hand can be adhesive and no longer the gauze."

Gaara nods his head mutely and allows her to guide him to the kitchen. She retrieves the first aid kit from a high cabinet.

"Hold out your hands. This'll only take a minute," she mutters. Her breath smelled like coffee, peppermint, and gingerbread. It reminded Gaara exactly what season it was. Cool, sweet, yet spicy and strong.

Gaara obeys and brings his mitts up between them, palm-up. Temari takes them in her own hands and unwraps the gauze. Two jagged cuts smile with bloody lips at her, and she winces. "It doesn't hurt nearly as much as you think," Gaara reassures as she slathers ointment on the four-day-old wounds. Sealing it with two giant nude-colored band-aids and a kiss on his forehead (which caused Gaara to frown. He still wasn't used to Temari's new affection, though he took it in stride; Naruto was somewhat the cause for his progress).

"Now get outta here, Stud. Your man's waiting!" she teases, her hand miming a slap on his bottom.

A faint blush tints his cheeks. The redhead shakes his head at her and shoos away her mimed ass-slap hand. "Goodbye. See you later tonight," he mutters.

"Be safe, Gaara. No late-night partying, even if it's winter break!" Kankurou calls when Gaara is partway out the door. He grins wickedly. "Oh, and no sex, either; as tempting as it may be."

Gaara flushed more this time around. To hide it, he snaps back at him: "I'll be sure to resist both."

"Stop with the Gaaracasm already!" He can hear his brother chortle as the front door shuts behind him.

A breath of crisp, chilling air caresses Gaara's face, bringing his mind into full awareness. It carries with it the scent of rusting, dried pine and snow. Even snow has a scent; watery and unyielding, frosty and bland. But most of all, it smelled pure. Cleansing. Which is why, currently, Gaara wanted to stand for a moment and allow his mind to be cleared passed the awareness. A full mind-sweep to turn his thoughts into an unsoiled slate of white. Like the snow around him.

A smile drifted to his lips as he proceeded to his car; well, Kankurou's car, but details meant squat when you're going out on a date. So long as you're with the person you care about…

"Humph," Gaara grunts to himself, smile fading. He could see traffic in the distance. He sighs lightly through his nose. "I'm going to be late, yet again. Naruto won't be pleased about that."

o0o0o0o0o

Indeed he wasn't. Naruto paces outside the movie theatre, his cast wrist ungloved. He flexes his fingers to keep his blood pumping. One of his knuckles crack. "Does Gaara make it a habit of being last to every date he goes to?"

Although he probably shouldn't use the word 'date'; dates are for people who don't know one another and are merely hoping for a good time… meaning a possible a make-out session or sex. What Naruto and Gaara want out of this is to woo the other and have their affection. What they are doing is technically considered 'courting'. So this would be a… courtship meeting? Never mind, that sounds animalistic and odd; 'dating' it is.

Finally, a car pulls up. Naruto stares at it eagerly, suddenly unable to recall what the redhead's vehicle looked like. But before Naruto can try to remember, the car's lights are going out and a door is opening… it's Gaara after all. A smile breaks out on his lightly tanned face.

"You could have waited in the theatre where it's warm," Gaara says lowly when he's within Naruto's earshot.

The blonde shrugs and begins unraveling his scarf. It dangles on either side of his neck and now his mouth and nose are revealed. They step into the movie theatre, their snowy boots meeting damp, flat carpet. "Nah. I wanted to wait for you where I could find you easily. 'Sides, I'm not cold." He leans over to skillfully take Gaara's hand without anyone noticing. It's icy even through his singular glove. Naruto frowns. "Some coffee should heat you up. I'll buy," he tells the redhead in a light tone.

Gaara shrugs. "Alright." He pauses before remembering to add: "Thank you."

Naruto's grin returns. "You're welcome."

Cheap coffee in hand, Gaara waits as Naruto orders himself a whole smorgasbord of movie treats ranging from popcorn to sour gummies to chocolate. Even Dibs, those little ice cream bites, despite the time being the middle of winter. He just earned the movie theatre a shitload of money in one order. Where does he get he cash to pay for that? Gaara wonders. Or the appetite…

"Did you want anything?" he asks before the cashier rings up the total.

Gaara shakes his head.

"Okay, that's it, then." Naruto tells the cashier. The zit-faced teen (a little younger than him, about fifteen, Naruto notices) adds the total and hands over the treats while Naruto forks out the cash. He pays and fills his arms with the junk food. "Let's go!" he says around a sip of his drink.

Gaara is tempted to roll his eyes at his hurricane, but instead smiles with them. His lips don't switch from their thin line, but he can tell Naruto caught the grin. They proceed to get their tickets ripped into stubs and locate their theatre. Once inside, of 'course they argue over seating.

"I like to sit in front, close to the screen."

"I prefer the back."

"But up front you can really hear the movie!"

"But in back you don't need to crane your neck upwards to see the screen."

They compromised to sit in the very middle row in the center seats. It was actually the best spot in the theatre, where the movie is not too loud nor too soft, and you can see the entire screen without squinting or 'craning your neck', as Gaara put it..

Almost no one else was there yet, since the two boys arrived earlier than expected, even though Gaara arrive late.

"Why are the floors always sticky?" Naruto grumbles as he makes his way down the row.

Anyone could figure out why; it was common sense. But Naruto had none, so Gaara supplied him with it. "Lots of people spill their drinks and candy, and not always can they mop the floors, so even after sweeping there is sticky residue leftover."

"Oh," Naruto says airily. Suddenly, he laughs. "I thought it was became someone came."

Gaara raises an eyebrow at the innuendo. "Dane Cook?" he asks.

Naruto nods with a smile on his face. "Yup. The Vicious Circle DVD. Kiba has it and we watched it together (for the fifth time) at his house not too long ago."

Butt meets folding seat, and Gaara reclines back as Naruto situates himself with all his treats. Half of them end up in his lap.

"Can you hold the popcorn for me?" Naruto requests as a bag of Skittles fall to the floor. He frowns at the sound of candy bag connecting with tile. "Dammit."

"Sure," Gaara says nonchalantly. He picks up the red bag and places it in Naruto's lap. He then takes hold of the edge of the popcorn cup and rests it between his legs. "Is that all?"

Naruto started. "Huh?" He had been too much in a daze from Gaara's hand coming so close to his thigh and then watching where the popcorn cup was placed. He clears his throat. "Um, yeah, that's all. Thanks."

The lights dim, and it takes Naruto until the previews begin rolling to realize that many more people had filed in around them in the theatre.

"Hey, Gaara," Naruto whispers after the first preview, some cheesy romantic comedy, left the screen. "We're going for a walk somewhere special after this. Is that all right with you?" In the darkness, Naruto sees shoulder movement; a shrug. He smirks minutely. "Good."

Pretty soon, the action movie previews fade, along with the animated movie previews. Then, the feature film begins. Since it's just after Christmas, all the epic movies remained in theatres; this was one of those movies. It's supposed to be thrilling (to the eyes), lengthy, and complicated (plot-wise). It was sure to be a good movie.

If only Naruto could concentrate on it.

Instead, his eyes were watching Gaara's barely lit profile, his blank face absorbing the scenes and his eyes reflecting the colorful light. His coat, the blonde noticed, was pealed back some to show a nice sweater underneath, although he couldn't tell what hue; something dark-colored.

Being crafty, Naruto didn't ask to have the popcorn; instead, he reached over right between Gaara's legs and stole a handful. He could only imagine Gaara's emotions as he did so. Naruto took triumph in the buttery, salty taste that crunched between his teeth.

Gaara didn't like Naruto reaching over, nearly touching his crotch, to get popcorn. So he tossed it (thereby spilling some kernels) into the blonde's lap with a small scowl on his face.

That only made Naruto smirk wider. The action showed just how flustered Gaara was by the action. Somehow, annoying Gaara brought Naruto joy; because he knew he was the only one who could without getting severe consequences

Naruto made a mental note to go to a horror movie next time; he loved them and was never very scared of them, but Gaara didn't know that. He could easily cling to the redhead in false-fright during the film, and by doing so, would be annoying/embarrassing him. Sounded like a good plan…

The film ended soon enough, feeling short to Naruto since he hadn't been focusing very hard on it. Gaara was much more interesting. He was glad, too, that he didn't fall asleep this time. Although his mouth tasted strange… like Hershey's and Sour Patch Kids: sour-fruity-chocolate. Not a pleasant combo. Smacking his lips together, Naruto felt inside his pockets for a mint. He found a tin of Altoids; perfect. He pops one of the small, white, saucer-shaped mints into his mouth. He starts panting, the flavor being too intense and scorching his throat and nose with minty iciness.

Gaara crosses his arms over his chest once he had his coat zipped properly. He raises an eyebrow at Naruto. The blonde smiles apologetically and fishes in his pocket to show the Altoids tin as an explanation. In retrospect, placing a strong mint on your tongue right before going outside into the dead of winter was not a brilliant plan. It made every inhale excruciating.

After leaving the theatre, Naruto stopped Gaara from gong to his car. "I told you, I wanted to walk you someplace first."

The redhead nods, secretly appreciating not having to go home straight away; who knows how much teasing he was in for from his siblings. Especially from the Pervy Kitty (a joke between him and Temari; Temari came up with the name when Kankurou was twelve, clad in his favorite hat and already sneaking glances at brassiere-covered breasts in the girls' locker room). He rejoins Naruto's side as the blonde directs him towards the center of town. "Where are we headed?" he wonders dimly.

"You'll have to wait and see," Naruto grins cockily. He loves knowing things when other people don't; sometimes it's a burden, like when Sasuke returned, and sometimes it's a prideful sort of joy because you know they're going to like your surprise. This is precisely one of those times.

Naruto holds out his ungloved hand, the wrist marked from his rough bonds – a memento to the horror they had survived together. Hesitantly, Gaara grasps the offered hand, a shiver running up his spine from the icicle-like temperature of normally sunny skin. They walk for a long distance in silence, and for once it felt soothing rather than awkward for Naruto.

He sighs gently, his thumb beginning to rub small circles on Gaara's hand. The redhead looks over at him, slightly puzzled by the action. Naruto merely smiles. "We're almost there," he comments as they weave through a narrow alley.

Gaara stiffened, feeling a tad claustrophobic in the tight space, but the feeling of another hand in his calmed his nerves some.

When they reach the end, a turn around the siding of a building brings vibrant, whirring colors and soft glowing to their eyes. White, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, silver and gold. Strings of white lights donned each pine tree, spiraling up from trunk to tip in draped loops. Multi-colored lights were hung from the lampposts and in the windows of nearly every store, outlining Konohagakure with festive rainbows. Ornaments twisted on their strings from the canopies of the shops, their random bulbous shapes super-sized than normal tree décor size. The sashes around the shop doors and the tinsel stuck in the trees gave the night air a warmer feel, and in the dim lighting everything seemed to glimmer. Even the snow appeared decorative the way it clung to the tops of the canopies and rims of the center monument. It laced every possible surface with angelic white, creating an innocent scene.

Resshin hadn't meant to gasp, though he did, and quite loudly. It turned hushed and became a sigh by the time he was finished, and Naruto gave his hand a squeeze.

"Let's walk into the trees; they only have this up until the 30th. After that, no more Christmas trees."

Slowly, the earthquake nodded his head and followed Shippuuden's lead into the forest of holiday beauty.

After a few minutes, Naruto spoke: "It's pretty, isn't it? My mom used to take me to see the Christmas trees every year. She said it was where Minato – that's my biological father – took her on their first year anniversary of engagement. I never saw what was the big deal when I was younger; I mean, they're just trees with lights and glass balls and shiny ribbons, right? But, y'know… I've grown to appreciate them. Konoha does them with a different color scheme every other year or so. This year it's simplicity at it's finest: traditional colors. But last year it was burgundy, cream, and gold; the year before, two shades of blue plus white and silver. And before that, mauves and pinks with gentle yellow-gold accents. It's kinda creative in my opinion," he rambles on as he lets go of Gaara's hand and shoves his own in his pant pockets. He hadn't want to let go, but he knew Gaara was still getting used to so much physical contact. So he did things in small increments.

Gaara hardly noticed the removal of Naruto's hand since his own was growing numb with cold. He stuffed them in his coat pockets, the fuzzy inner lining making him get some feeling back already. He was listening to his boyfriend, however; he heard every single word. Naruto voice was smooth and bursting with emotion; it was a pleasant thing to listen to.

There's a pause until Resshin agrees: "Yes, it is creative. And… 'pretty'." He's not sure what to say about Naruto's parents' past experience, nor about his own child opinion on Christmas trees since he didn't grow up around any, having lived in Suna and with a parent who didn't care for traditions.

Silence followed, a peaceful ghost floating between the boys as they waded through the snow with smothered crunching sounds. The trees towered over them, although some were shorter than the teens were, those being younger trees.

"What did you guys do for Christmas this year?" the blonde asks as he idly kicks a lump of snow. What prompted him to do so in the silence, not even he knew. The action disturbs a sleeping squirrel under a nearby tree, causing it to scurry off. Naruto's eyes following it's bushy tail until it disappears through the bushes.

The other boy makes a motion that resembled a shrug. "Not much; bought a few gifts, received a few, and had a nice dinner. The usual."

The hurricane cocks his head. "Nothing special to mention? Like a certain gift? I got an iPod touch," he offers excitedly to boast… and give an example.

"That's great," he remarks flatly. Yet his eyes seem to glisten with a smile.

Slowly, Naruto's face evolves into a pout. "You're not very energetic about things, are you?"

The poet shakes his head 'no' as if to say, 'not particularly, but you should already know that'.

Well then, Naruto thinks deviously, I'll just have to fix that fact… on your birthday. You'll be very energetic when you see the surprise party I have for you! And you'll be pretty shocked when I give you Kyuubi's old class ring. It'll be classic! Outside his thoughts, Shippuuden grins warmly. "So…" he says, "Got any plans for New Year's? We're having this party at my house, so if you want to come, you can."

"Naruto, I don't know…" Gaara mutters. He glances at the trees and keeps his eyes focuses on the reflections of the lights on the snow covering the wispy green needles.

"What don't you know? It's only a little get-together among friends and family. Lots of friends will be there, along with their a few of their parents, so it's no one you don't already know. Plus… I want you there," he adds a bit sheepishly. "I mean, of 'course I would, you're my…" he drifts off, unnerved by the awkwardness of the word 'boyfriend'. "But I can understand if you wouldn't want to." Naruto adds softly.

Gaara didn't like the sound of that. He sighs through his nose. "It's not that. I would like to, but…"

Thankfully, Naruto seems to understand the concept now. "Oh," he mouths. He makes an apologetic face. "Sorry. I forgot how it might be for you. But you went to Sasuke's Halloween party, so why can't you come to my New Year's one? Shukaku and your siblings are invited, too."

Gaara bit the inside of his lower lip. Truthfully, he preferred it when he was alone with the blonde instead of around others. Yet he can't refuse Naruto now after such an offer. So, he nods his head; his way of agreeing to go.

Naruto smirks ear to ear, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He suddenly spots pink swallowing Gaara's nose. "You must be cold; how 'bout we grab something hot to drink from one of the shops back there? I'm hungry enough for a bowl of noodles…"

Holding back an eye roll of Naruto's love of food, he complies. Gaara was rather cold, and some coffee or tea would do nicely. Naruto would probably order hot chocolate if he couldn't get his noodles; goes to show how different the two boys can be.

Hence, with a playful nudge and the crunch of boots in snow, the two headed back towards the center of town with steaming hot beverages in mind. Hopefully, more conversation was ensured. Because all Naruto wanted to do was get Gaara to open up a wee bit more; already he knew a lot about the redhead, but he wanted to know it all eventually.

…Also, he needed present ideas for Gaara's birthday. He couldn't rely entirely on his e-pal's siblings for information; some he has to retrieve for himself.

o0o0o0o0o

The 31st of December, a.k.a. New Year's Eve arrived. The air was chill but the sun was warm, and the snow had melted from the streets, sidewalks, and yellow-green grass except for in the placed of shadow. Snow never lasts long in Konoha; the last falls of snow usually occurred around February.

Naruto was on a cleaning spree, awake since the crack of dawn and shuffling around the house with a dust rag in one hand and Pine-Sol in the other. And then paper towels with Windex. Then Scrubbing Bubbles with a different rag. And the vacuum… and the broom… and the mop… with a dustpan and bucket of water and everything.

"Slow down, Naru-to! You're going to clean the house down to it's framework!" Kyuubi warned with a chuckle.

The teen gave a weary smile and thumbs-up. "That's my goal!"

This proceeded to make Kyuubi laugh harder.

Hours later, after a calming shower than both unknotted Naruto's worked muscles and got the grime off him, it was nearly time for the party. His hair damp and his clothes only halfway on, Naruto waltzed into the kitchen. "What's cookin', doc?" he asks with a Bugs Bunny accent.

"Wascally wabbits," Kyuubi retorts with a wolfish grin and a purposely hoarse voice.

The two laugh. Then Naruto peers into the pan, but fails to see since a lid covers the top. "Seriously, what are you cooking? You never told me your meal plans for the party, you know."

"You're right, I didn't tell you; because I wanted it to be a surprise. I decided to make your favorite."

"…Homemade ramen?!" Naruto squeaks out while gasping.

"Yup, homemade ramen." He lifts the lid to reveal a swirling pan of everything under the sun that Naruto loves to eat, minus the key ingredient: noodles.

"Whee!" he squeals with happiness. He even goes as far as to shove his fist into the air, a signature victory move.

Suddenly, there's a few knocks at the door. "Bet that's Sakura. She's always first to our house," Kyuubi comments as he dumps three balls of long curly noodles into the mix to cook. "Go answer the door, will you?"

"Sure," Naruto shrugs. He tosses his yet-to-be-put-on shirt over his shoulder and reaches for the doorknob; the second he sees who's on the other side he suddenly wishes doors were like two-way mirrors and weren't entirely opaque.

Even with the heat of his home around him, Naruto still felt the chill of the pre-January air turn his nipples erect. That must be quite the sight to see for the too-early guest.

Bright, burning cherry coats Gaara's cheeks and he immediately casts his eyes to the welcome mat below his feet. He brought a hand to cover his mouth, which he felt twitching into a teeny smile; plus, something was building up above his nostrils… most likely a nosebleed. "I thought you wouldn't mind if I arrived a bit early since I'm usually late, but… apparently… you're not prepared."

Understatement of the year.

"No, uh, it's okay… come in, Gaara…." the blonde mumbled, feeling terribly embarrassed. Uhg, I must look extremely 'come hither' right now; wet hair, no shirt, cold nipples… jeez.

"Heh, seems I guessed wrong. Hello Gaara!" Kyuubi rings from the kitchen. "Ya like ramen? I'm making some right now for dinner tonight. It's my sister's recipe, and Naruto's absolute favorite."

Obviously; his e-mail address is 'addicted2ramen', the back of Gaara's mind says. But the front of his mind was centered around the picture of a shirtless, half-nude Naruto. Whom at the moment ran off to slip into his shirt to be a bit more decent for his only guest; although he was so embarrassed that he was struggling with the piece of fabric. Meanwhile, the redhead was taking a seat on the living room sofa trying to clear his thoughts, since most of them had the words 'flawless', 'gorgeous', 'sculpted' and 'hotdamn' in them; the latter being one of Kankurou's phrases.

"So, Gaara," Kyuubi says while he taste-tests the ramen. "You got a job at Boarder's, I heard."

"That's correct," says the redhead quietly.

The businessman smirks, glad he found a stable topic of conversation while Naruto was busy making himself decent. "Does it pay well?" he wants to know.

"Relatively."

"Are you saving up or college?"

"Yes," he replies curtly. He would have nodded if Kyuubi could see it; he didn't like speaking when a nod or shake would suffice.

"How much do you have so far?"

"Not nearly enough."

Before an awkward silence can break out, Naruto pops into the room. "Thirsty, Gaara?" he asks automatically. "We have every soda pop known to man next to our refrigerator, so if you want something –"

"Dr. Pepper mixed with a Pepsi," he says simply. It was his current favorite; the intermingling of the two caffeinated sodas tasted delicious and gave him the fix he needed for his ever-present caffeine addiction.

"Okay," Naruto smiles. He turns and digs for one in the many boxes on the side of the fridge. He spots the dark red box and the blue one and grabs a can of each, then reaches for another from the citrus-flavored Vault for himself.

While the hurricane was retrieving a glass to mix the pops in, the doorbell rang. Sakura, with an overly-white grin eating her face, let herself in as though she lived there. Which she sort of did; she had a key, after all. "Hey Kyuubi, hey Naru! I'm home!" she jokes, playing up the 'waltzing right in' act. She comes up the stairs to see Gaara being handed a dark beverage in a glass. "Oh! Hey to you, too, Gaara." She winks at the redhead before turning to Naruto. "Get me an A&W cream soda would ya?"

"Sure thing!" And he tosses her the can after he located it. Naturally, she catches it.

"When will everyone else get here?" the pinkette grunts as she pops open the aluminum. Fizzing is heard, followed by slurping as she takes a sip.

"Soon," Naruto replies. "In about half an hour, give or take a few minutes."

Sakura smirks. "Excellent."

"What do you guys want to do until then?" Naruto asks his guests.

But Kyuubi is the one who answers. "I say you set the table full of snacks and bowls for before and during supper. And the blow up the balloons you forgot about, Naruto."

"Oh! Right…" the blonde sweatdrops, since he had forgotten the balloons. "We can do that. C'mon, guys," he says lightly.

Approximately two dozen dishes spread across the table and five bags of dollar store balloons later, the entire subbasement floor was covered in colorful balls of deadweight and the three teens were suffering dizzy spells. Which is the exact moment that the knocking sounded from the front door and Lee came busting into the abode, bringing the rest of the party with him.

And so it began, the first few hours of a very becoming homecoming.

o0o0o0o0o

In the meantime, Itachi was contemplating what on Earth he was going to say. More importantly, he was trying to decide how he was going to present himself. He needed things to be subtle, calm, and discreet. He needed things to go smoothly… all of which seeming impossible when he was dealing with his baby brother.

"I have until tomorrow," he reasons aloud. "That's when Sasuke will come home after his all-nighter at the Uzumaki house."

Itachi was in a stolen car, having had no money for a bus or anything else. The car was luckily not owned by anyone; at least, not presently. He found it in a landfill near the prison; he was fortunate enough to have it be only the sixteenth car he tried to hotwire. It had started but wouldn't move due to lack of gas. More fortunate, the prison had been showing Mythbusters on the television the other day, and they proved in the scientific show that you could run a car on used French fry/cooking oil. So he stocked up a bunch of the smelly stuff he also found in the landfill.

Which lead him to this point: miles of driving and taking long routes to avoid cops and hours from jail later, he was nearing the Uchiha Estate. He could only hope he was correct in his guesstimate time… if not, Sasuke would still be home prior to the party and would see him pull into the driveway. Which would be inopportune and ultimately bring around another day in court with a prejudice judge boring down on him. Itachi would not like that one bit, oh-no-siree.

"Perhaps if I wait up for him…" he thinks aloud dully. "Yes, that'll do. Then I can explain myself fully to him. I can only hope he understands. He's always been foolish enough to jump the gun…"

o0o0o0o0o

"Who wants to play Pin-the-L-on-the-Celebrity's-forehead?" Naruto sing-songs to his crowd of friends after a very fulfilling (not to mention scrumptious) ramen meal.

Kankurou smirks around his pop can. "Is that some sort of Pin-The-Tail-On-The-Donkey parody?"

Naruto nods in confirmation.

"What d'ya mean 'L'?" Kiba questions from his laid back position on the couch. Hinata was snoozing on his chest, having been like Goldilocks: she ate too much of a warm, good thing, and afterwards fell asleep.

"He means like this," Ino snickers, raising the back of her right hand to her forehead and screwing her eyes together with her tongue out as she made an 'L' with her thumb and forefinger. "Nyah-nyah," she taunts.

Everyone laughs. Kiba snorts. "You could've just said, 'the loser sign'."

More laughter, and then Lee smiles crookedly. "So which youthful celebrities did you pick for us to mock, Naruto?"

He holds up six posters, all pin-ups ripped from teen magazines. "Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Patrick whatever-his-name-is from Fall Out Boy; you know, the lead singer? And then Paris Hilton, Zac Effron, and Fergie."

"Ooh, I hate Fergie! She makes me so mad! Give me that L, Naru, I'm going to post it right over her skinny tummy." Sakura scowls.

"Aw, why Miley? I love Hannah Montana!" Ino complains.

"You would," Shikamaru and Temari grunt from the corner of the room. They exchange glances, surprised their minds were thinking the same thing at the same exact time. Then they chuckle to each other.

"Miley got too famous too fast and it all went to her snobby little head," Sakura says to answer her best friend's rhetorical question.

"Why Patrick, then? He ain't so bad." Chouji offers with a bag of cheddar Sun Chips in his hand.

"Because he got fat between the music videos for 'Sugar, We're Going Down' and 'Thnks Fr Th Mmrs'," Shino supplies. All heads turn to him for a moment; they forgot he had even been there.

"Okay, but why Zac? He's pretty cute," Ino murmured. She adored celebrities too much.

"That's just it," Sakura sighs to explain again, "He's too cute. Too many girls fawn over him and it's annoying."

Ino places her hands on her hips and harrumphs in a high voice. She didn't agree with all this, but what the heck? Might as well make some celebrities losers before the new year. It's a good way of making room for new celebrities to admire.

And the game begun, one of Naruto's orange handkerchiefs being used as a blindfold.

o0o0o0o0o

"Good news, Sasuke," Sai remarked earlier that day. "The ANBU was able to make a pardon for you to leave this sickhouse. You'll be able to make that party after all."

Sasuke sat up on his cot and smirked. "Thank God."

"No, thank us," he retorted. He tossed a shopping bag across the room into the Uchiha's lap. "Here's some clothes we picked up for you from the Old Navy near our Base of Ops. Hope we guessed your sizes right," Sai said carelessly. He turned on his heal and left.

Sasuke said not a word to call after the strange boy, merely headed for the bathroom to change with the help of a nearby nurse.

"Funny," Sai sighed. "They wouldn't let me tell him the bad news or the reason why they agreed to his request." He shrugged. "No matter; he'll find out soon enough."

The truth was this: members of the ANBU and Akatsuki were the lone people who knew of Itachi's breakout. While the Akatsuki searched for their lost associate, the ANBU were plotting ways to deal with it. One option that was already set in motion was to have Sasuke meet up with his brother (as he surely would if he were out of the hospital) and gather information (that he would most likely spill to someone or another).

"I just pray things go smoothly for the poor guy," Sai said monotonously with a shake of his head. He knew Sasuke was a prick like himself, but for that reason he empathized with him. Plus… Sai didn't grow up with parents, just like Sasuke. In his case, they died much earlier by the Akatsuki's doing, and he was left to be raised by the ANBU. And Sai couldn't help but think that the Uchiha was – dare he say – attractive.

After Sai had left and Sasuke had gotten dressed, it was time to sign out, go home for a bit to properly shower and prepare himself, and then it was off to Naruto's New Year's celebration.

Sasuke could hardly wait. If anything, it was his last chance to apologize and put things back in order.

o0o0o0o0o

In the middle of the party, around the time of balloon volleyball and sparkling white grape juice bottle popping, Sasuke stepped onto the premises form his car and steadily made his way to the door. When someone answered it following his press at he doorbell button, he was face to face with Kyuubi.

"Sasuke…? Shouldn't you still be at the hospital? I mean, you're in a wheelchair and everything…" Kyuubi states with a worried expression on his face.

Shukaku comes up behind him, a beer in his hand. "Who's the late partygoer?" he questions in his gruff, husky voice.

Kyuubi opens the door up side to allow Sasuke inside, whom oddly enough still looked indignant and strong even in a wheelchair. "It's an old housemate of mine," the business man jokes. "You remember the Uchihas, right, Shu?"

"Aye," the blue-violet tattooed man grunts. He takes a swing of his beer. "They're a big family; who can forget them?"

"Well, this is the youngest, Sasuke." He introduces.

Shukaku gives a lopsided smile. "Hey there, Sasuke. Havin' a good New Year's Eve?"

"I will soon enough," he replies. He glances at the stairs that lead to the subbasement where everyone was. "Shit."

"Need help?" Kyuubi smiles sadly. It's odd seeing Sasuke look so helpless, and he felt the need to lend a hand even if the raven-haired boy had been an utter jerk last time he saw him.

"Hn," Sasuke grunts. "No. I'll figure it out."

In the end, however, Shukaku and Kyuubi insisted they life him – wheelchair and all – down he stairs. He was surprisingly lightweight.

"There you go, kid." Shukaku says.

"Thanks," he replies begrudgingly. He didn't like being helped; it made him feel weak. And weakness is one thing Sasuke was not meant to be recognized for. Ever.

The room noticeably grew quiet when the teens in the room saw the two adults leaving behind an old face. "Sasuke…?" Naruto mutters with a steadily increasing frown. Even Gaara turned his head, although his frowning expression was less confused and more hostile. Gaara's frown read, 'What the fuck are you doing here?'; whereas Naruto's clearly stated, 'Ohmigod, you're out of the hospital?! Since when?!'

And, to answer both their unstated questions, Sasuke forced a smile to his mouth (it grew twisted-looking) and lies: "I talked the doctors into letting me out early for the holiday. So… here I am!"

His forced enthusiasm hardly reaches anyone in the room.

Ino huffs and practically shoves her hands into the crooks of her elbows as she crosses her arms. Sakura scowls, on edge. Both girls held lingering feelings for the bastard, but Sakura's were true enough to ignore for the sake of her hurt, air-headed best friend.

Lee glances nervously around the room. "Must there be tension between friends? We should get the party back on track!"

Kiba nods. "You know, Lee's right," he says as he removes one of his hands from Hinata's sleeping form to point a finger-gun in his direction. "We can't stop on one person's account. 'Sides, I bet he's sorry for whatever you're mad at him for." Kiba hadn't been completely filled in on the Sasuke situation. Not much of anyone had been; the overly homosexual aspect of it was too unsettling to tell.

Sasuke swallows and nods his head a few times. "Listen, I know it's hard to believe me." He pauses. "I honestly am sorry, and hope…"

Naruto juts his chin out. "It seriously is 'hard to believe'." His arm snakes protectively around Gaara's waist, causing the redhead to glance down momentarily. "You said some pretty nasty things. Repeatedly."

There was a hint in the dobe's tone that got Sasuke spirits up the tiniest bit. "But…?"

"But," Naruto continues, "I don't kick a man when he's down; or in a wheelchair. You're a real prick, Sasuke, but you've always been my friend. And since you're utterly orphaned at the moment, I'd feel guilty if I decided to stop being your friend now. So… I think I can forgive you… after you make it up to me. A lot."

His spirits deflate again. "How am I supposed to do that…?"

"Well," Ino says, "You can start by telling everyone your hilarious schemes tomorrow after the party."

"What about right now?"

Sakura grins. It was her turn. "Now? Now you can stop being a prick and act like the Sasuke we used to know as kids and have fun with us."

"Yosh! The flame of friendship burns once more!" Lee cheers. "Let's count the New Year down; it's nearly time!"

Sasuke released a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. He could deal with this… he really could. Nothing weighed on his shoulders more than his guilt, and if he would lift it eventually, then he knew things could be okay. It'd be a struggle, trying to let go of Naruto completely and 'stop being a prick', but he could do it. In due time. Sasuke merely had to relocate his old self from when the world and his brother hadn't corrupted him. That'll take a while. It'd be easier if he had Naruto… "No, no, I'm trying to stop that way of thinking," he reminds himself in a hushed whisper. Luckily, he went unheard.

"Hina, wake up. It's almost the new year," Kiba says in a sweet voice. He nudges Hinata's shoulder and brushes back some of her bangs from her face.

"Hmm…?" she questions with a hum-yawn. "Is it the New Year?"

"Almost," he grins, one canine tooth being exposed to her.

They turned on the television screen and watched as fireworks were lit, preparing to send off.

"Seven…" Sasuke mutters.

Lee pumps his fist into the air. "Six!"

"Five," Shino, Shikamaru and Chouji say carelessly.

"Four…" Ino, Sakura, and Temari chant in unison.

"Three!" Kiba and Hinata breathe in sharply with excitement.

"Two," Neji and TenTen seem to sing.

"…One." Naruto and Gaara finish, the hurricane grasping his earthquake's hand and squeezing it.

The fireworks fly into the sky on the TV and burst into a dancing array of color, sparks trialing down like golden pixie dust.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" the parents scream as they come behind their children in the doorway of the basement and shoot open four bottles of champagne. The teens jump at the sound, promptly giggling their heads off.

"Now all you brats better get to bed!" their principal, Tsunade says jokingly.

"Not on your life, old woman!" Sakura retorts to her grandmother.

Tsunade grins wickedly. "What old woman has breasts as nice as mine, little missy?"

Cue more laughter and a perverted white-haired boyfriend behind said 'old woman' holding up twitching hands that ached to take the invite hidden within the rhetorical remark.

Taking their alcoholic beverages upstairs, the adults disappeared to take pleasure in the aftermath of the early morning.

In the meantime, the teenagers did the same… only in a more hyper manner. For instance:

"Ne, Gaara…" Naruto hinted seductively. Over half the group was too preoccupied to notice the way the blonde was nudging the smaller boy next to him.

"Hn?"

A foxy grin spread over his lips and concealed his teeth. "We can go be alone for a little while, you know… everyone else is busy, and I know how much you dislike crowds, so why don't I show you my room?"

A faint flush brushed over Gaara's cheeks. "What are you hinting at…?"

"Nothing much… I just wanna kiss you," Naruto says with a flush of his own. He bats his eye lashes like a girl. "Please?"

Gaara sighs, unable to resist. Naruto takes the sigh as the comply it is and drags the redhead upstairs.

Sasuke was trying his best to smile and laugh with the others, but he couldn't help the wave of nauseous jealousy that washed over him when he saw the couple leave the room and head up the stairs. Still, he somehow succeeded to distract himself and enjoy the time he had with his long-lost friends around him. Yet, little did Sasuke know, when he returned home he was in for a very detrimental benefit awaiting him.

For now, however, the adults didn't bother to notice the two boys fleeing to Naruto's room. Once inside, the blonde didn't hesitate to acquire the essence that was Gaara; cinnamint gum, Dr. Pepsi (the name for the soda concoction), warm vanilla and underlying traces of blood all wrapped into one dreg of saliva. Why it was so delicious Naruto had no idea.

Nor did Gaara understand why Naruto's Sunny D, ramen, fire and wood taste was so fetching. It was an odd combination and strangely warm and bright, yet soothing. His own essence, Gaara could tell, was much duller and spicier in a less festive manner, but he knew Naruto didn't mind. He obviously enjoyed it, always slipping his tongue in as quickly as he could and prying Gaara's normally closed jaw open to new lengths. And the way he knotted his calloused fingers in Gaara's hair… it was pleasurable and vaguely painful.

"Gaara…" Naruto whispered against the hollow of Gaara's ear. He could feel a shudder run down the redhead's spine. A wave of crawling goosebumps, like so many times before they were together, coursed down Naruto's flesh. He barely paid attention.

"Yes?" Resshin replies softly.

"…Never mind, I forgot what I was going to say," he breathes against Gaara's neck. Then he laid a kiss over the moist heat he left from his breath. Really, he had wanted to say, 'I love you so much' or 'I love you more than you'll know' or 'Happy New Year' and other mushy things. Part of him was tempted to give Gaara the class ring this very second; but, of 'course, he remembered multiple facts at once and stopped himself. Gaara probably wouldn't like any of that. He probably just wanted to be kissed.

So Naruto completed that task; ravishing the contact-deprived teen with wet, warm kisses all along his milky collar bone and up his neck to his ear, even stopping to suck on his Adam's apple, a sure weakness for nearly any male.

And, to Shippuuden's surprise, he earned a content moan from Gaara. It was a gentle one that said 'Naruto' in a barely audible mumble.

The blonde could cry with how happy this holiday was making him. And, hidden under his mask, Gaara felt the same.

o0o0o0o0o

Daylight came about rather quickly. It rose from the sky and blinded everyone's eyes in what felt like a matter of minutes after falling asleep. Crust-caked eyes opened slowly and everyone came into full awareness after a good potty break and a splash of hellowakeup! water on their faces.

Sasuke was one of the first awake, although not the first to get up. The wheelchair restricted him that way.

Gaara, however, had been awake the entire night; kudos to his caffeine buzz. He had watched Naruto sleep beside him, finally conking out around 5:00.

Slowly… groggily… people began to travel home. Sasuke being one of the first.

As soon as he pulled into his driveway, he knew something was wrong; another car was parked near his driveway, too close for comfort. And a beat-up one if that.

Cautiously, for now he was on high alert, Sasuke ascends the ramp he had put in for his wheelchair and unlocks his front door. He rolls into the family room and feels his lungs give out in his chest as air sputters through his lips.

"Hello, little brother. How're you?"

Itachi had broken out of jail. And he was sitting like he used to always sit, right in the corner chair near the fireplace. There was even a book lying in his palms: The Complete Volume of the Grimm Brothers' Fairy Tales.

Not batting an eyelash, the raven-haired teen utters three words, each framed with malice: "Get out. Now."

A/N: wow, i've never done footnotes before. weird… 0-o;;

1) phrase courtesy of CeruleanRipTide! – Told you I liked it and might have to use it. BUT YOU STILL CAN'T STEAL GAARACASM! MWAHAHA! ...kidding, just kidding. If you like it, you can use it, hun. In fact… EVERYONE CAN USE IT! I want 'Gaaracasm' to become a new internet joke thing! Spread it around to every website you can, like youtube and DeviantART! Just credit this story or me for it and you're golden. :3

2) chapter 23, A Date to Remember – "Her (meaning Sakura's) arguments were always flawless. Like Tsunade, only less pushy. Makes sense that they're grandmother and granddaughter." – I related them because of the whole teacher-pupil thing between them in the anime/manga. Plus, you have to admit: they are a lot alike! XD

…this chapter is 8,108 words and 20 pages long (in Times New Roman, size 12 font) on Word. UUUHHHHNNNNNGGGGGG!! DX
the next chapter is partly completed since i had a couple days to finish it before i got my internet back. so be happy. :D

P.S. OMG! my statistics are so friggin' high! OVER 17,300 HITS?! and 81 alerts?! and better yet, 67 favs?! plus 4 C2s?! YOU GUYS SPOIL ME. -hearts-
-sniff- it's like… a miracle or something… -sniff-