Lily: gah, the internet is not working and i have to wait for dad to get home so that he can fix it. so i shall type.

Can't you see them?
Chapter Five
Untangling a knot with no end

Gaara crouched on top of the same bridge post as the day before. He hoped that he hadn't scared Naruto too badly last night. He didn't know why, but he was worried about the other demon holder. Gaara... Gaara thought of him as a comrade, some one who understood, nothing more. Gaara clenched his kohl lined eyes shut.

A small noise called him out of his reveries, but he kept his eyes shut. He sniffed the air, narrow nostrils flared. The sound came to a halt and Gaara opened one eye to a slit.


Sasuke sat down in front of the post.
Where's Naruto? he asked casually.
Like I would know.
Sasuke was quiet, thinking.
Look, Gaara, I'll cut to the chase. Do you like Naruto?
What do you mean by that?
As in a boyfriend.
What's it to you, Uchiha?
Just thought you ought to know that you have a rival and that I'm already further along than you.
What is that supposed to mean? growled Gaara.
Sasuke went over the memory in his head but didn't tell Gaara.

About a month back, Sasuke and Naruto had been assigned to escort an old lady from her house in the forest to the village and back. They had done that without a hitch, but on the way back, Sasuke and Naruto got lost in the forest. The two boys had been forced to make camp and wait til morning to find their way back.
Sasuke watched Naruto sitting by the fire and shivering slightly.
Naruto, are you cold? he asked. Naruto nodded his teeth chattering.
Come here.
Naruto obediently scooted closer to Sasuke. The taller boy put an arm around Naruto's shoulders.
Ahh... Sasuke, what are you-
Naruto was cut off when Sasuke leaned down and gave him a small, modest kiss. Sasuke sat back up. Naruto blinked, blushed and went back to staring at the fire.
The kiss was never mentioned again.

Sasuke was saved from an inevitable death when Naruto staggered up. His hair was messier than usual and there were dark rings under his eyes. He held a bowl of half finished ramen. Naruto plopped down by Sasuke and went back to gumming on the ramen.
Morning, pretty boy. Morning, Gaara. Naruto blinked blearily.

Sakura appeared a few minutes later and sat down by Sasuke, trying to nuzzle up on his arm. Sasuke moved his arm away. Kakashi walked up towards the bridge, noticing the state of affairs.
Oh boy. Gaara is looking like he's going to kill Sasuke, Sasuke is drooling over Naruto, Sakura is drooling over Sasuke and Naruto looks like he has a hangover! Why me, lord? the unfortunate shinobi thought to himself.
You're late, said Sakura and Naruto at the same time.
Ahh... you see, Iruka couldn't find his pants so I had to help him look for them and we got a little... sidetracked.
Naruto blinked and tried not to fall in his ramen. Whoa, Kakashi-sensei. Either I'm sleepier than I thought or you just told something close to the truth! My whole perception of the world has changed...

I'm deeply hurt, said Kakashi, while looking the exact opposite, Well, as you know, we have a mission today. Actually, two missions! Naruto your mission is to investigate a hidden cave behind a waterfall. This is were your ability of walking on water comes in handy. Oh, and you can take Gaara along if you want. Sakura, Sasuke, you two will be catching some fish for a pond. Once again, your ability to walk on water might be helpful. Here are your maps. Now, go!

The four leapt away, or, in Naruto's case, stumbled as fast as they could. Gaara looked back to see that Naruto was going nowhere fast. He was obviously very tired and he had the map, which they needed if they were going to be going anywhere. Gaara doubled back and grabbed the front of Naruto's shirt, swinging him up onto his back. He wrapped his arms around Naruto's thighs, ignoring the weak protests from behind him.
Hey, Gaara, put me down. I'm not a baby, I can walk!
From what I just saw, you might as well be a baby. Anyway, you were slowing us down.
Ahh, sorry.
Now, where are we going?
That way.


Sasuke glared at Gaara's back as he left. Sakura pulled on his arm, heading off to go fish. Kakashi sighed. This was turning into a really big mess. He knew he could untangle the problems with Naruto, Gaara and Sakura but he had no idea what he was going to do with Sasuke. Was there anyone that liked Sasuke other than Sakura or Ino....


Lily: OPEN ENDING WITH A QUESTION! in your reviews tell me who you want Sasuke paired with, other than Sakura or Ino, i need at least five reviews to continue! :P
Phantom: heheh. .
Fly-Girl: if you're good we shall give you fluff! :D