Birthdays Past
Chapter 8: Slippery Secrets
By: Vampire Toy
PG 13 (Just in case)
Disclaimer: Me no own ;;
"Talking"
(Inner Sakura) – Eh, well, I got some advice on italics, but my box thingie in 'preview' doesn't have an italics sign/thing so this will have to do, thanks tho! ;
:Sound effect:
….
The dramatic silence between Ino and I only lasted for about a second before she attacked me with questions again.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"So….Gaara…you two seem kinda friendly…"
"I-it's not what you think!"
"Really? You were gone for about a day and a half…two days maybe, a lot can happen during that time."
"W-what! No! I-I mean, I….what are you trying to get at?"
"Hnn…."
"What?"
"I dunno," Ino leaned back against the wall, "I guess I just thought it was funny how he'd do what you said."
"Oh…well….actually, we're friends, he was just being nice…."
"Friends? Gaara and you?"
"Yes!"
"I'm surprised he hasn't killed you yet…"
"Oh come on, I'm not that bad."
"No, you're perfectly good little girl, you're just annoying sometimes. I didn't know he was so patient."
"Gee thanks."
"No problem….oh, Sasuke has your clothes….er….and you're still wearing his pants, have you been in that hooker outfit the entire time? "
"Heh, no! All these clothes were washed and while they were being washed I was wearing some of Temari's clothes."
"So, you're friends with the whole family now?"
"I don't know her that well actually…"
"Hmm, what about that Kankuro guy?"
"No, the only time I talked with him was when he lead me to my room."
"I see….so, when did you and Gaara get to being friends?"
"Oh, well I couldn't sleep so he talked to me." (…and you saw him naked OO) No! STOP!
"….I can't help but feel you're hiding something from me….."
"Uh….well what about you? W-what happened when that guy punched me?"
"We fought like rabid dogs, but only for about ten minutes, then he suddenly just stopped and disappeared. He almost had us beat but he just decided to stop."
"…." (That doesn't make any sense, he said he wanted to kill us but it's almost as if he just wanted to mess with our heads)
"Well, after that, we rest for a while, took our stuff and came here….in the middle of a sand storm! Ugh, not fun."
"Hmm, well, I don't know much about the particular terrorist group who attacked us but…..they don't usually travel in packs or anything right?"
"Um, no, in pairs I think."
"In…pairs….so, there was a very slim chance that Naruto and the others were attacked?"
"Um, hello, the word 'pair' means double, it means they had a fifty-fifty chance of being attacked."
"Oh…." (Heh, she doesn't know that the other one was here….unless Itachi has a completely different partner…)
"Sakura, what is it? What do you know that I don't?"
"What…are you talking about?" I knew she could see right through me, she was my best friend after all. Despite our long rivalry we had always been able to get into each other's heads; I really wanted to tell her, I wanted to tell SOMEONE.
(Gaara knows) Gaara ….doesn't know the important parts! Maybe…I should tell Ino? (You know, Itachi said you can't tell anyone……what if he hurts her because you told her?) Holy crap! He said he was coming back for another visit! (Here?) When! (What if he's watching us….right….now….)
"Sakura?"
I looked up biting my lip, a sure sign that I was hiding something; so Ino persisted.
"Sakura, tell me! As your friend you know I would tell you if something happened to me!"
I frowned, she was so forceful, I had to tell her something….
"Sakura!"
"We saw each other naked!" (NOT THAT YOU IDIOT!)
"…………Gaara….and …..you?"
"Well…..er….:ahem:….." (OO)
"I can't believe you were thinking of hiding this from me!"
I blushed furiously and crossed my arms over my chest. (I can't believe you told her that!) It was that or Itachi! Pick one! (ITACHI!) Your kidding right?
"Well…..I-I suppose y…..well…umm…..is that good….or bad?"
"What?"
"Uh…heh." Ino blushed and gave me a devious smirk
(Oh no, I know what she's going to ask…)
"So?"
(PLAY STUPID!)
"So…what?"
"Gya! Sakura!" Ino grabbed a pillow and swacked me over the head, "You KNOW what!"
"H-hey! No fair, what about you! You have to tell me something too! This is….a very…uh, I guess, embarrassing secret."
"Not until your done!"
"So you have something to tell me?"
"Uh…" Ino blushed and plopped the pillow in her lap, shrugging uncomfortably.
(She has something she's hiding from you! Tell her! Tell her! ….you know you want to know, it takes a lot to make Ino blush!)
"Ok….umm, so…exactly what do you want to know?"
"Oh come on!"
:BLUSH:
"Do you want me to give you a rating system or something?"
:BLUUUUSH:
"W-was he…uh, wait, oh, attractive? Y-yes, he was attractive…very…attractive…"
"So what size?
"WHAT?"
Ino squealed, throwing the pillow at me and giggling hysterically.
"Sorry, I forgot, you just now lost your virgin eyes am I right? You wouldn't know w-…"
"Shut up!"
:BLUSH:BLUSH:
"Oh, calm down! Hehe, I wont tell anyone, oh….that's just great….did he say anything when he saw you?"
"N-no…."
"Hmm, I wonder what Sasuke-kun would say?"
"INO!"
"I'm kidding! Hahah, oh wow you're freaked by this."
(Only because you made me admit he was hot…he's the KAZEKAGE DAMMIT!)
"T-tell me you're secret!"
"Oh….heh…..well, if you reeeaaallly wanna know."
"I DO!" (After that you better have a pretty damn good secret!)
"Ok…..well…there was this…umm, this one mission that we went on…me and my team…and, uh, Shikamaru and I got separated from our sensei and Choji…"
(…..Oo what's she getting at?….)
"Well, it was in the Hidden Snow and, whadda ya know, it began to snow!"
(I will turn that pillow into a lethal weapon if you're messing with me….)
"So…we had to get really close and, I guess, almost cuddle or something, but it wasn't helping much. I began worrying that we'd die…and Shikamaru told me he wouldn't let me fall asleep…"
"GET TO THE POINT!"
"Ok! So we had sex! Happy!"
(OO)
"He…told you….he wouldn't let you fall asleep so you had …sex?"
"It's deeper than that! But you wouldn't let me finish!"
I stared at Ino who was blushing deeper than I was, but her lips spread into a shy, lovesick smile. it….be that she's in love with Shikamaru? (I'd hope so….) well you never know…
I wouldn't have cared if it was any other girl but Ino was my friend, so when she had sex I wanted to at least be sure she was ok with it.
"So…what was the in between?"
"Well, we both thought we were gonna die, so we started talking about everything we'd wanted to accomplish in our lives and everything we were afraid of and stupid crap like that. It made the moment kinda romantic or something so…well it just happened."
"Are….uh…you ok?"
"Of course I'm ok!" Ino laughed; but I couldn't help but wonder what resulted of the little encounter. It hadn't seemed like the two were dating when I saw them together a few days back.
"So…are you two dating now…?"
Ino was silent and pulled her legs up to her chest.
"Ino…."
"Excuse me."
Both of us turned to the door to see Gaara and Temari standing there.
"Temari will show you to your room Ino."
"Now?"
"Yes."
Ino muttered, her sadness replaced with annoyance as she got up to follow Temari out. She stopped next to Gaara in the doorway and turned to me.
"Go ask Sasuke where your clothes are, he should have them."
For some reason that statement made me blush, especially since Gaara was giving me weird looks. Ino walked out and Gaara immediately came to sit next to me.
"Your clothes?"
"Heh, you really think this is what I wear regularly?"
"….."
(He thinks you're a slut!)
"We'll, this is not how I normally dress thank you! These are Sasuke's pants…."
Gaara gave me a strange, almost disgusted look and I blushed again.
(Be happy he's not holding your hand again….it'd be crushed)
"It's not like that! I-I fell in the water and my clothes were drying s-so he gave me his pants…b-because his shirt was carrying our food….." What's his problem? Making me uncomfortable….and Sasuke-kun was just trying to help! He shouldn't turn it into some kind of crime…(YOU'RE THE one freaking out! stop trying to interpret his expressions! You shouldn't have to explain everything….)
"I'll get you're clothes from him…"
"No! No, lemme do it, I need to talk to him and give back his pants anyway. Could you show me to his room?"
Gaara's lower lip twitched but he only let out a strained sigh and stood up, holding his hand out to me.
I took it before thinking and he pulled me up and dragged me out the door.
Ech! Almost lost my balance… (Well at least he's not crushing your hand…)
What's with him? (Ask later, not now! Check on Sasuke-kun!)
"He's here, call me if you need me to lead you back." Gaara pulled me in front of Sasuke's door.
"Ok…but er….Gaara, can I talk to you later?"
He turned to me with a confused look, but then smiled and turned around, letting go of my hand.
"Yeah, sure."
"Ok…"
His sand wrapped around him swiftly and he was gone, grains again in my hair and various other places. I sighed but didn't bother trying to brush any of it out; I was becoming used to it…after all he was my mode of transportation in the Sand Village… (Yeah that's it) No…Sarcasm.
I turned and knocked lightly on Sasuke's door.
"Sasuke-kun?"
Silence
"Sasuke-kun?"
Silence
"Sasuke….I'm coming in now…"
"Sakura…"
"Yes! Sasuke!" I spun around, surprised to see him behind me.
"I was just looking for you."
"Oh! Haha, me too…I mean, obviously…I'm standing in front of your door…oh I'm being stupid…er…I have uh….your pants…." (XD that still sounds weird…)
"I can see that."
"Right, and you have my clothes! So, we should…I guess trade off…"
"Come in."
"Ok…" (Pull yourself together! It's not like you haven't seen him in years!)
"So, Gaara took care of you when you got lost?"
"Oh, yeah, well, I kinda got lost then found my way into the Hidden Sand. Some little kids brought him out to me, heh, the story is kinda funny…" I looked over at him and frowned when I saw he wasn't quite with me.
(And you don't wanna here the story…..of course not, you're traumatized….) I should be more understanding; I wonder if I should ask him about it?
"Sasuke……"
"Yes?"
(:SIGH:)
"I, umm, should I…turn around or should both of us turn around or…."
"You've already seen me in my underwear….it's all I've been walking around in."
(DAMN I wasn't the only one to see him like that, ah crap. Fanservice for the entire Sand Village!) He sounded angry….I think I made him mad…
"I'm sorry,"
"No. I…didn't mean it like that….I didn't mean to sound angry…"
"That's ok. Well, ok, here." I blushed and quickly took of the pants and handed them to him, my head down and blushing.
"You don't have to walk around in your underwear anymore…"
"Just….shirtless…" I felt his hand take the pants and I looked up uncomfortably. He blinked when I made eye contact and looked away, turning slightly pink.
"Heh, right, your clothes…" he turned and walked over to his bed, opening a bag he'd had with him the entire trip.
"Here," he took out my dress and shorts and handed them to me.
"Thanks." I looked at them curiously and chuckled; they were still dirty from the trip, of course they wouldn't have had a chance to wash their own clothes let alone mine. I slipped the dress over my head but decided to continue carrying my shorts around. I would have to ask Gaara if I could have my clothes washed again.
The silence in the room became even more uncomfortable after we were dressed.
"Umm, give me your shirt…I mean to wash….since it's probably fishy and stuff…"
He looked over at me and slowly dug the shirt out of the bag and handing it to me.
"Thanks."
"Oh, you should probably thank Gaara…."
Sasuke made an angry face and I took a small step back. (They REALLY don't like each other….or maybe it's just me?)
"So, you're ok?"
"W-what?"
"Are you ok? I mean, Gaara….was nice to you and everything?"
"Well, yeah, of course, why wouldn't he be?" (I could think of a few instances…)
"No, never mind….listen…if you ever need to talk to me Sakura, I'll always listen."
:BLUSH:
"I-I…uh….thank you…Sasuke-kun…..me too…I mean, I'm here if you ever need me to listen."
He looked at me a moment and smiled, "Thanks."
:BLUSH:
"No…problem…" (LOOK! He's smiling at you ;; ahh, his smile is so wonderful…..)
"…."
"Uh, well, I'll leave you, get some rest ok? You've been through a lot."
He nod at me and I turned around to leave.
"Sakura."
"Hm?" I turned at the door and saw him smile at me again.
"I'm glad your ok…I was very worried."
"I-I was worried about you too Sasuke-kun, thank you…."
….
When I got out of his door I almost screamed, he was worried about me! Enough to actually acknowledge it! (Of COURSE he was worried about you! You're his TEAMMATE! He was probably worried abbot Naruto all the same, just like you were worried about both of them….) eh, thanks for putting down my hopes…
"Your done?"
"EH! Gaara!"
"….Yes?"
"I…didn't see you…" or feel your chakara, bashing my own self-esteem make my senses clouded….(hey, I was just saying, you shouldn't jump to conclusions, it helps you look more mature…)
"You want to go back to your room?"
"Oh…actually, I need to wash these clothes…and my dress, so if you could show me where to wash them…."
"I could do it…"
"Oh, well, you can help…if you want" (he…washes clothes?….does he know how?….was he the one who washed my clothes last time?)
"Alright." He grabbed my hand once more and I smiled and sighed, shaking my head. This was becoming all the more habit…
The sand took us to the wash room and I paused to scan over it. It was rather big, with five tub-like sinks on one side, a door to outside, a rack to hang things on, and a closet full of soaps and things.
"Ok, lets get started…..do you wash the clothes?" (That'd be weird OO)
"No."
"Oh, ok, well, then you can just watch." I walked over to the soaps and picked up a few things I recognized and walked over to the sink.
"Now, what do I need to wash? Sasuke's shirt, my shorts, and….." I froze, I had to wash my dress too, which meant I had to take it off….which meant I'd be in my underwear (so what? He's seen you NAKED, what's the big deal with being in your underwear?) ITS STILL WEIRD! (Just do it, or ask him to leave or something…)
"I…uh, I ….uh…"
"Can I help?"
I blinked and looked up o find Gaara hovering over my shoulder and staring at the clothes in the sink.
"Oh uh…s-sure…b-but I need to wash my dress too…."
"The one you're wearing?"
"Y-yes…"
"I'll wash that…"
"Oh er…." (HE'S UNPHAZED! How does he do it….OO)
"How does this work? Oh, this, I pull this right?"
(WHAT!) I almost fell over when Gaara moved in front of me and began unzipping the top of my dress. (GYAAAAAAAAAAAA!)
"I-I-I…." (Speak! Speak!) But I couldn't and I began feeling lightheaded, my heart beating faster every time he moved.
"Here…" he pushed the sleeves over my shoulders and lowered the dress, bending over to let me step out of it. I pulled out one foot then stumbled and fell when the other one got caught in the dress.
"Oof! Uh…? W-w- I mean…I uh…"
"Are you ok?"
:BLUSH:
"Y-y-y-"
He held out his hand for me and I slowly took it. (How come I'm blushing so badly now when he's already seen me naked!) I don't know! (Man, Gaara just has a weird affect on you…)
He pulled me up and I fell again, into him this time, making my blush travel all over my body.
"Will you show me how to do this?"
I looked up at him curiously, trying to see if he comprehended this situation in any way. He stared at me intently and I shuddered, shaking out my head and my blush.
"Y…Sure!" (That's right! Be brave! Be proud! You're not naked right?)
:Ahem:
"F-first….well, turn on the water, its better if its warm," I turned the knob lightly; I knew the water from the Hidden Sand came in extreme pressure through the pipes in the lower rooms (it looked as if we were in a basement almost) because of the water system and how far the water had to travel.
The water flowed out steadily and I grinned but when I turned to see how Gaara was doing I was greeted with a splurge of cold water.
"GYYYAAA!"
"Sorry," the water died down and I coughed, wiping my wet hair from my face to glare at him. How did he not know about the water pressure?
(Well, he's never washed clothes before, and the washing room here are usually in the basement, so he must not be used to it…)
I looked to see his sand was holding the water at bay and I reached over and turned the knob down enough for the water to come out gently.
"You can stop…" I said referring to the sand plugging up the faucet. The sand slowly crept away and I rotated my head slightly to see if he'd been beaten with the water as well; it did, and he was soaked from head to toe.
I felt my face heat up when I pointed out his muscles through his wet shirt then I quickly looked away and rung out my hair.
(What's the matter with you!) I don't know….
"So…umm, then you….put a little bit of soap in like this…."
"Ok."
"No that's too much!"
"What? I did the same you did."
"Your not supposed to squeeze so hard!"
"Well you didn't say I couldn't."
"Oh no, now the suds are building up, they'll get everywhere!"
"We're already wet."
"That's not the point!"
Gaara gave me a glare and flicked the suds at me; I glared in return and flicked some back. Soon our flicking turned into an all out battle; we ran around trying our best to cover the other one with suds, but we were both failing miserably. We finally settled down after the entire floor became covered in soap and I'd slipped, pulling Gaara down with me. We laughed as we slid across the room and hit the wall.
"We didn't get anything clean." I huffed nudging him playfully.
"Hmm, the servants can do it."
"Aww but we made such a mess!"
"Heh, they're paid to clean anyway, they don't do enough…"
I chuckled and smiled at him and he smiled at me as we both sat up against the wall.
(I've never been so relaxed, it almost made me forget about…..)
I stopped, it almost made me forget about the others….
"Is the sand storm over?"
"What?"
"Urr, I know that's random, but is the sand storm over?"
"….I could check."
"Please…I mean, I was supposed to go out and find my other friends….."
"I'll check; go back o your room."
(Hey!)
"Wait! What time is it?"
"….I don't know…."
"Well let me come with you just in case."
"In case what?"
"In case the storm is still going on and they're stuck in it like Sasuke and Ino were…"
"Hmm."
"Lemme go with you!"
"You're in your underwear."
"Grr!" :BLUSH: "Could you gimme something to wear?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe!"
"Hmmphf, you can just stay here."
"Just gimme some clothes!"
"Why? You'll just get them dirty again!"
"Hey, you're gonna get dirty too! Besides, it's my obligation!"
"Silence."
"Wh-" his sand grabbed me, making me squirm as it dragged me into the darkness.
"GAARA!" I screeched, but the only reply I got was being dropped onto my bed, still soaked and half-naked.
"Grr….Gaara!"
:Silence:
I made a low growl and sat up defiantly. I was going out to find my friends! I wouldn't have asked for help if I'd known he was gonna throw me back here!
(What's his problem? Suddenly ordering you around more than before!) hnn, well I'm going, like it or not!
Vampire Toy: BWAHAHHAHA (twitch)….:ahem: I dunno if they have washing machines so er….yeah, if they do, then lets just pretend that Gaara's family has their clothes hand washed since they're all important and stuff and can afford things like clothes washers and cooks XP. Oh, whadda think about that scene with Ino? Sorry if it was kidna weird, but I like going into the other characters as much as I can with first person, because obviously she's not only around Gaara, Sasuke, and Itachi, there are others too. :) hnn the washroom scene! GYA! That was weird to do…..hope you liked it though, I tried hard to make it as believable, in character, and I guess….sexually frustrating….hehehe…erm…yeah …..I'll stop with that……