The door to Naruto's apartment was already open when they finally dragged Gaara out of his. A woman walked into the hallway, bright pink hair refracting off the glassy walls. She was well dressed, in a pencil skirt and off the shoulder. puff sleeve top, and her hair was swept up into a messy twist in her head.

"Thanks again, Sakura-chan," his voice carried out. She looked put upon, but her eyes were fond as she stared into the doorway.

"You still haven't told me where you're going," she redirected, "I didn't work this hard making you look DTF and then some for you not to spill."

Sasuke decided his best way into the conversation was through Sakura. He was surprised to see her. They had been friends for almost ten years, and she had been his personal stylist for half of that. He was almost hurt that she hadn't introduced him to someone like Naruto in all that time.

He wanted to get a foot ahead of Neji. Both seemed to be failing catching the blonde during a time off. Plus, he wanted to know what 'DTF' looked like on Naruto.

"I'll tell you when I get back," Naruto reassured, "Call you right after, scout's honor."

"You'd fucking better. Grab the lightweight robe I told you to wear," Sakura said. It only took her another moment to notice Sasuke. Though her face broke into a smile, there was tension in her eyes.

"Bitch," she said, "What are you doing here?"

"I live here, Forehead," he smirked, sidling up to the forefront, "I didn't know you knew Naruto..?"

Sakura's smile goes tighter, "How did you meet him?"

"We introduced ourselves. We're his neighbors. Hyuuga Neji," Neji stepped out to show he would not be forgotten. He held out a gently manicured hand, nails up. Sakura looked down at it, her bright pink eyebrow flicked up.

"Expect me to kiss that, do you," she said, smirking. She glanced around him, to where Gaara was sliding backwards towards his rooms. She decided she wouldn't hold him.

"Sakura-chan, thanks again," Naruto came to stand in the doorway and looked at them all in surprise, "Oh hello."

Oh.

Fuck.

Naruto looked good enough to eat. Tight black pants, finely tailored and pressed, slightly shiny, dipped and curved over every muscle in his thighs. He had on a short sleeve button down, burnt orange so rich that it would be a crime if it complimented his skin tone any more. It was unbuttoned almost to his waist, where it puffed out of its tuck in his pants. He had a white haori with black accents slung over his arm.

A cord necklace with a blue gem peeked from the opening of his shirt. It winked at him from atop that tone chest, begging your eyes to take notice of a neatly pronounced clavicle. He had one hoop earring, also black, with a white drop gem hanging from it in his right ear. A watch with a black face and thick brown band was strapped on his wrist.

His hair was slicked back out of his eyes on one side, and the other side hung and flared out as if in extra defiance for his fallen brethren.

"Meow," Neji purred.

"You look nice," Sasuke ignored him, "Special plans?"

Naruto smiled politely, "Yes that's right. I hope you weren't here for me."

Sakura looked at him like he had two dicks for heads.

"It's quite alright," Neji said, "We just wanted to invite you out. We and a bunch of the residents on this floor wanted to have a welcome party for you. We've come up with a date, on a weekend, of course."

"I'm not sure my kids will be okay around a bunch of people," Naruto replied thoughtfully, locking his door. Sasuke knew both he and Neji were watching that ass. Sakura's eyes were glued to the side of Sasuke's head. He could feel her disapproval. Served her right for never introducing them.

"Oh, there are plenty of other residents who are coming to the party," Neji lied, and swore to double check, "It'll be in the family friendly area on the third floor."

"Okay, then. That seems lovely... Are you going too, Gaara," Naruto called down the hall. The shorter man froze where he was unlocking his door. Naruto stepped around the men, leading Sakura towards his neighbor.

"Not sure," he mumbled, "Kinda don't want to."

"Well, if you decide to go, let me know. I'll be there. Oh, yeah, and you never texted me the address for your next exhibit! I have quite a few friends interested," Naruto chartered away. Sasuke couldn't believe he'd been snubbed for that feral, freaky looking midget. He made a slow approach on them both, hoping he could intimidate Gaara with his presence.

"Oh yeah," Gaara said, as though it slipped his mind. His eyes crept up Naruto's body and stopped at the necklace hanging off his chest. Naruto grinned, "Just send it now so you don't forget!"

Gaara slipped out his phone. Sasuke was aghast realizing Gaara had his piece's number already. He'd barely spoken two words to the blonde. Sakura pulled on Naruto's arm, "Hey, Nana-chan, time's wasting, we have to go."

"Oh shit," Naruto said, eyes flickering down to his watch, "Right! Let's go! Gaara, I'll see you next Sunday. Lay off the coffee."

"Hn," the shorter man snorted, "No promises. You look nice, by the way."

"You think so? Thanks a milly! Later!"

"Later," Gaara was in his apartment with the locks slotted shut so fast Sasuke only had time to realize he was letting both targets get away at once.

The elevator doors had already closed by the time the duo made for them.

"What the fuck," Neji growled, "At what point did Sabaku get the upper hand?"

"Upper hand," Sasuke pretended like he was unbothered, scheming on getting Naruto to show up at the party, "No way Nana-chan is into that freak. You just have to use Gaara as bait and get Naruto to come to the party."

He didn't say that he planned to milk every bit of information about the gorgeous father of two out of Sakura.