DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

I'm so sorry for not updating this sooner! Finals got to me haha XP I'm such a procrastinator….


"Sasuke-kun! Ooh! Look, I haven't seen that merchant before!"

Sasuke was about to fall over from the overload of gifts Sakura had bought. There was really no place to store them unless he went back home and that was quite a distance away. So Sasuke had to grin, or actually, frown and bear it until it would be time for them to all go home.

Sakura stood haggling with the new merchant over….Sasuke took a quick glance and looked ready to faint. A dresser!?!? Sakura was buying a dresser?! How was he supposed to get THAT home? Sasuke sighed and dropped dead onto another bench, Thank god there were so many of these around the market. They probably knew how tired some shinobi got after carrying their girlfriend's things.

Wait. Stop. Rewind. Did Sasuke just indirectly say he was Sakura's boyfriend? He shook his in frustration. That damned Naruto he thought to himself as he replayed the scene before him. Putting ideas into his head, crazy child. He sighed to himself as he remembered how nice Naruto had been to Gaara, and how the red-head had…..smiled…and Sasuke still couldn't believe he did it. It wasn't an evil smile, one that he was used to seeing on the boy's face; a sadistic smile. A smile that showed he enjoyed watching others in pain or seeing them die.

It was a smile of happiness.

Sasuke cringed at the memory. Since when had he and Naruto become so buddy-buddy? And why hadn't Naruto told him? Of course, Sasuke knew he hadn't really a right to pry into the blonde's life, he rarely did, but he felt somewhat…betrayed. He couldn't explain why. There was just a forever nagging feeling inside of him that told him not to trust Gaara.

I said I trusted Naruto's judgment he though to himself. He rarely picks the wrong kind of friends…right? Sasuke could only hope so but then he remembered the incident with Mizuki. Naruto had trusted the wrong person and gotten himself into trouble for it. Sasuke didn't know the details of what happened, but he did know that it was how he learned the Buushin No Jutsu. I hope you're not making the same mistake Naruto Sasuke thought then sighed when Sakura had sealed the deal on the dresser she had wanted.

"Ok, thanks so much, okaa-san will love it!" Sakura said quite perkily. "Sasuke-kun!" she called out to the young raven-haired boy. "Will you help me carry this please?" Sasuke nearly fell over. As if I don't have enough to carry already Sakura he thought.

"Ah, no need young miss, there is a building not too far from here that stores everything you buy for a small fee," the sales clerk replied smiling sympathetically at Sasuke. "So your young friend here won't pull his muscles from carrying all your things."

"Ah really? Oh my gosh!" Sakura exclaimed as she saw everything she had made the boy carry and blushed. "Gomen ne, Sasuke-kun, I guess I got a little carried away," she said grinning sheepishly.

A little? This is a little? I'm never getting married, why does Naruto like her again? Sasuke thought in his mind but waved it off. "Let's just drop all this off somewhere, my arms are about to fall off Sakura," he said.

"Ah! Gomen ne again Sasuke-kun!" Sakura exclaimed at the two headed off in the direction the clerk had given them. Sakura, this time, had offered to take some of the packages but Sasuke was still stuck carrying the heaviest one out of all of them, the wooden dresser. Sasuke had to admit though, the girl had some taste. It was a redwood dresser painted with a Cherry Blossom tree in the back and a gold frame. How much did this cost her? He thought. That was kind of her to give it to her mother too.

Sakura and Sasuke had gotten lost a few times, but that's what asking directions were for. After a few minutes, they had found the place, rented space for about an hour or so, and Sasuke left the room completely empty handed and flexing his sore arms. Sakura had lost her shopping luster, now checking off the last thing on her list and went around the market, this time, just to look around. Sasuke sighed relief at that. Checking his surroundings, he noted that this was where they had been at the beginning of the day and the stand for the sculptures was still there. So was the model of the 4th Naruto had been looking at.

It didn't register in Sasuke's mind as to what he was exactly doing, but from watching Sakura, he had gotten the idea of haggling prices with people. Before he knew it, the statue was wrapped up in a bag and Sasuke had spent 15,000 yen, more than half off the original price. Sasuke suspected that the actual clerk wasn't here, probably on a break, and his daughter had lowered the price in an attempt to charm him. He sighed and gave a polite smile to the girl, who blushed a little too much and fluttered her eyelashes at him.

Sakura had stopped what she was doing as she watched Sasuke try to haggle with the sale's clerk. Her eyes burned with fury as she saw the girl was attempting to flirt with him and was "accidentally" brushing her hand against his. Sasuke had quirked an eyebrow and took his hand off the counter and placed them on his hip which made Sakura jump for joy. Hell yeah! No one touches MY Sasuke! She thought.

What surprised her was what Sasuke had bought from the girl. It was a statue of the 4th. The one that Naruto had been looking at earlier today to be exact. Sakura put two and two together and her eyes widened. Sasuke-kun bought a gift for Naruto? She thought as she walked up to the raven-haired boy. "Well that's a first," she said coming up behind him and surprising the boy just a little.

"What's a first?" he asked casually trying to hide the gift behind his back.

"Sasuke-kun, don't lie, you bought that statue Naruto wanted. Why?" Sakura asked curiously. Where's my gift? She thought in her head.

Sasuke sighed as he stopped trying to hide the paper bag behind him and tried to think of a reason that Sakura believed. He didn't even know himself as to why he had bought the gift. It just seemed like something he had to do as soon as he saw it. After a few moments of silence, Sakura had repeated her question to him.

"Why did you buy that for Naruto? It was very expensive."

"I know," Sasuke replied. "But I watched you all day haggle with the sales clerk so I got a discount." He stated simply.

"The sales clerk was trying to flirt with you Sasuke-kun," Sakura stated simply and the boy turned a little pink Well, its not as if you're not always trying to do that he thought in his head but didn't say it out loud. He didn't want to hurt the girl's feelings.

"I know, still, I wanted to get Naruto something to…make up for not remembering his birthday." Sasuke said rather quickly.

Sakura instantly felt guilty and didn't catch the bit of a lie Sasuke had in his voice. She remembered that also not so long ago, Kakashi had given them the day off from training, and Sasuke was quite pissed off, especially since he couldn't find Naruto so he could spar with him. It was obvious in his impatience that the two had gotten into a fight again. When Sakura asked where Naruto was, Kakashi simply stated, "You two are surely great friends of his, aren't you?" and disappeared.

Sasuke and Sakura were both confused as to what in seven hells that had to do with Naruto's whereabouts. They had found the blonde later at the Ichiraku with Iruka and Sasuke had scolded Naruto for not coming to training and the result of that was that Kakashi had let them all off. Iruka had looked at the two of them with a confused look and asked if they knew today was Naruto's birthday. Naruto had softly mumbled a "no" a bit grumpily and right then and there Sasuke and Sakura got the hint that they had hurt the blonde's feelings. They had left right away.

Sakura nodded in understanding and dropped the subject. She looked to the almost setting sun and sighed. She found the nearest bench and collapsed right into it. "Today's been a long day Sasuke kun, I'm ready to rest now," she said.

"Thank God…" Sasuke mumbled and collapsed right next to her.

"Gaara-Chan! Look at the parade its starting its starting!" Naruto called out to the red-haired San shinobi. Gaara turned and gave a small mile to he blonde boy and went to join him. A crowd had gathered around the center of the market, where a parade was being held. Floats and costumes of all shapes and sizes emerged from the distance, throwing candy and performing tricks while they walked.

It was the best show Naruto had ever seen. It was much more diverse that the Konoha New Year's festival since the performers came from all over and the themes weren't so cheesy. He wished that Iruka could see this, Naruto knew the man would have loved it. Smiling he took Gaara's hand and pushed through to the front, he wanted to get a closer look at the performer's costumes plus he wanted some of the free food they were giving out, although Naruto had just eaten not too long ago, the walk around the market had left him hungry once again.

Gaara followed the boy giving just a hint of a smile. But he couldn't help feeling the odd twinge he felt when he saw Naruto with Sasuke. He wanted to ask the blonde about it but he didn't know how he would react or if the blonde knew what he would be talking about. The red-head sighed to himself. Naruto, you cause so many complications in my life he thought.

"Huh?" Naruto said turning around. "Did you say something Gaara?"

Gaara mentally smacked himself. How could he have forgotten that Naruto could hear his every thought?

"No," Gaara replied and turned his attention back to the parade. "They never had parades in the Sand. The streets were always empty when I walked them…"

Naruto felt an instant sadness towards his red-haired lover. You're more alone that I was, its no wonder why I'm drawn to you he thought and wrapped his arms around Gaara's shoulders. Gaara flinched as the sand rose up to push him away but he willed it not to. "Naruto-kun, what are you doing?" he tried to ask calmly but his voice, for some reason came out in a squeak.

Naruto's eyes became wide as he realized that Gaara never knew what it was like to be hugged. He peered into the other boy's green eyes and gave a small grin.

"It's called a hug Gaara-chan," he said then rested his head on the boy's shoulders. "When you hug a person, it's a sign that you really care for them and you'll be behind him all the way."

Gaara's eyes widened in shock with the simple gesture. He didn't know what to say. You really are full of surprises, my little fox demon he thought.

"Mmm…" Naruto replied burying his face into Gaara's shawl. "Love you too Gaara" he said simply.

Gaara smiled.

Across the street, Sasuke sat up from the bench, his mouth hanging wide open at the scene that was playing before him. He clenched his fists and felt a slight tinge in pain around his chest. Since when were they so close? Its only been a day or so after all…Am I missing something here? he thought bitterly. Sasuke didn't know why he was so angry, in truth, he should've cared less about who the blonde was latching himself onto but seeing him Gaara made the raven-haired boy's blood boil a hundred times over.

Sasuke stared at Sasuke, puzzled at what was angering him so. She looked across the street and wrinkled her nose in disgust. I don't know just what Naruto sees in him…he was our enemy not too long ago too…even if the Sand and the Leaf are Allies, I still don't trust him…he's still dangerous. Sakura then looked over at Sasuke puzzled. The rave-haired boy looked like he was ready to kill something. Does he really dislike Gaara that much? She thought. Or is he mad at Naruto for being so friendly with him?

Sakura shurgged and simply thought that it was a mix of both. She too, was shocked and a little scared because of her previous encounter with the Sand-boy. But if Naruto had become friends with him, the only thing she had to do was befriend him as well. After all, Naruto never did choose the wrong type of friends, annoying as some of them were in her opinion. But what Sakura didn't catch was the hurtfulness that reflected in Sasuke's eyes when he saw the two acting so affectionately towards each other.

Gaara wasn't the only one suffering from jealousy.


REVIEWER RESPONESES

Naruto'sTwinSister: New reviewers are cool, duh XD Hah, I think they're waaayyy too OOC in the beginning but I got them back in character again! Yay! XDDD Oh yeah, people follow her advice "NO CHEATING BY READING WITH NO REVIEW!" Reviews=Boost in my ego XD

Hiei/Kagome Forever: Mai–san! glomps and gives her a cookie You are not stupid, plus long spaced reviews are nice haha XD

Nikkler: Buhahaha only time will tell me dear reviewer only time shall tell XD lifts you out from the pit of doom Writer's block never lasts too long for me dodges flying garbage form people who have been waiting MONTHS for her to update Anyway, you got your update hope you enjoyed it

Slashergurl: Thanks - You are right, its HARD to find a GaarNaru at all around the Naruto section, they're perfect for each other too ;;

Shinko Blade: My crappy fic is your first Naruto read? XD Obsession with Naruto or yaoi? XD Seiya is glad you liked this fic Gaara's jealousy will take this story places it shall buhahaha! XD

Hyperactivator: I emailed you, I'd better get my fanart! XD is easily amazed by what people can draw and is also easily spoiled and very greedy XD

SmileyYaoiChick: Truly, it is amazing that they're Christmas shopping on the same day. Me glad you liked it

Trubluewolfeyes: Seiya-chan will let you in on a secret. She put the 70 reviews thing so she could have a break form writing but unfortunately it was short lived. Yes you are right, its better to write when I want to, but I was tied down to my computer and held hostage until I updated so I really didn't have a choice in the matter

Silver Neo: Hehe I got almost that many reviews in a week too I need to raise the stakes then I need a break XX Wahoo! Naruto characters glomps them all and hides them in her closet ooh I win a kewl award? grabs it and puts it up on her webbie Sankyuu!

alice: Follow her example, all of you BOW BEFORE THE GREAT SEIYA!! Buhahaha XDDD sugar high

Missie DuCaine: Yup, I reached that many. I kinda meant on the counter for anyone who got confused about it, I didn't mean ADD 70 reviews XDDD I should do that next time so I can take my long awaited vacation runs away from angry mob of readers

CatC10: Sankyuu - You really don't think they're that OOC? I hope I'm improving then XD Met took your advice and you were right XD I got 70 reviews in almost a week xD Long reviews are very very good, they make me feel loved especially when I am praised XDD

Cherokey: Yay! My Story is on someone's faves

Dilanda: Sankyuu!!!!

Renn: Hehe I can never seem to stop writing cuteness it's saddening since I was kinda going for angst ;; Oh well! nn

Yaoi!: ooooh! Pretty smiley faces sS promises to update soon XD Reiew though!

fluffy-kins: Sankyuu! Only time shall tell, but I want to stick to my GaarNaru thing, though a GaarSasuNaru love triangle would be interesting XD

miako: spelling is something Seiya is working on, unfortunately, she did not have her usual betas for this chapter sobsob Blame Mai she was my beta this time XDD As for Sasuke and Naruto being buddy-buddy, I needed to throw that in for the plot. But Sasuke seems to have a thing in the anime for hitting Naruto on the head or somehow messing up his hair, he does that in the manga somewhere I can't remember for the life of me xX Eep! Seiya updated no kill me in your head, that's where I live! XDDD

Death Phoenix: I updated! I hope Death-san is happy XD

uzumaki Inari: Seiya is sorry she didn't update in 4 days, he writers' block was really killing her but can she know the secret anyway?

Kakashi : Drool is spelled "Drool" and if I put a lemon on FF.Net Seiya is going to get banned again

shadow: hands you a tissue Like I've been saying, I meant when my counter reached 70 I'd updated again but that was sooner then I thought

Tonyk: Is Seiya's story that important that it is needed for survival? Me feel honoured I love Gaara's jealously too, it has given this story the breath of a plot! XDDD

drangohunter: I updated in under a month, that's not too long for me Sadly, I use to be able to update within a week but I can't do that since 1) I'm lazy and 2) School has become harder XX There's suspense in my ficcies? Blah…I wouldn't think so, just a bit of a cliffhanger XD Again, I meant when my counter reached 70 and its passed that so I updated

Shadow Eclipse: Thank you! I updated now will you leave me another review?

Kuri: Seiya knows that the Sand blocks Gaara from hurting himself she just forgot because she has the attention span of a well…a block of dust :P She just remembered while watching the series and went "Oh crap I forgot about that…." - But no one seems to mind too much XD Like Seiya said….major OOC-ness XD

bleeding angel: Thank god for an honest review…to tell you the truth, I have no clue whatsoever to where this is going, I should have left it as a one shoe but nooo…people just HAD to bug me to continue it bleh….how troublesome…hopefully I'll have SOMETHING interesting in this story but it most likely won't be death-threatening its a damn holiday fic gah XX

darkiris: Brinkster? Is that a site or something? Last time I checked it was a webhost XD

Kori Nibiki: I updated, I was just kinda lazy and also on break for the past week so it took me some time - Thanks for not saying he's too OOC, I put him back into IC mode and hopefully I got it right! To tell you the truth, I've no clue as to how old they are, but possibly they're 13 since I did say it's a few months after the Chunnin Exam, later chapters after Gaara/Naruto fight are kinda invalidated XD I see them as young adolescents learning to live with someone to love I guess :-P And Seiya has to keep secret about any other pairings she will put in the story

Night Walker1: grabs Bioshounen and skidaddles I updated so I'm keeping it!

Gisela: I will let you in on a secret. I like Sakura so I'm not going to bash her But I didn't make Gaara and Naruto too bad did I?

Darkraider: Errr…okay….would this could as a valid review?

YamiShinobiShadow: I got over my hit count for 70 so yes, I have updated. You really like the plot of this? I don't, I think its rather strange XD

Ice Dragon3: I updated ne? And what do you think? Does Sasuke like Naruto? Hehehe, Seiya likes to confuse people to build whatever crappy plot she's going to build here xD

Akito: Hehe, I really do need to continue that lol :P But I also need to get some people to help since the fic was a group project after all haha Glad you liked my fic!

YamiTenshi193: Seiya got 52 reviews, what are you saying that most people don't review? ; I meant 70 on the hit counter but then Seiya didn't have time to write because of finals ugh XX But now she does, yay for summer!

pheonix-sama: Hehe, forgive Seiya, one thing you should know about her is that she is a procrastinator ; Even if I got 100 reviews, I might not have updated because I wasn't finished with the chapter until now stupid finals XX But here's the update, hope you liked it

Seiya is so sorry for not updating ealier! School has been evil to her as of late and she was racked with finals X-X But anyway, I would like to apologize once again for any confusion I might have given me readers when I said I wanted 70 reviews, I meant I wanted my counter to hit 70 reviews But then finals got in the way and I couldn't update AT ALL All my time was concentrated on studying and when it wasn't, I had a SasuNaru sitey to work it, btw, say happy b-day to sasunaru DOT com, it's a year old! YAY! Well let's see, Seiya…wow 52 REVIEWS for chapter three XX dies Me ish so happy I love you guys! glomps I'll lower the number I suppose now that I actually have time to write, let's see, 40 reviews then? And I DON'T mean on the hit counter since I'm already past 40 XP For the people who don't know Seiya, she demands this many so she can have an excuse to take her time in writing haha xD

Seiya