Love Stays

by Heartaker

Thanks to all those who read!

Chapter Four

They placed there equipment in the spare room of Kakashi's old apartment, they were actually staying out in a Hotel across town, but they weren't really going to be staying there, they just used the Hotel to throw the fans off. Shikamaru after placing down his guitar, leaned back and cracked his neck. "It's late." Kakashi looked over his shoulder and stared out the window, the sun had just begun to peak over the horizon. The plane ride had taken longer than he would have liked-

"Well I want us all to be back here by this evening, so that gives you all day to spend with Naruto, Chouji, and Gaara alright?" They nodded, and before they could blink Kakashi was gone. Neji shook his head closing his eyes. "I'll see you guys later" He said as he walked out the door, Shikamaru and Sasuke looked toward one another, nodded, and then departed going in two separate directions.

'BANDS'

Kakashi slide the window open he had previously been knocking on the door, but Iruka didn't seem to be answering it. -Maybe he's still asleep- Kakashi thought, as he closed the window behind him, and walked down the hall to the room him and Iruka shared. He pushed the door open softly lest Iruka actually is still sleeping-but when he stepped threw the open door, the bed was empty and it showed no signs of even being slept in. Kakashi frowned, did Iruka have something do to? He pondered, that could be it. He walked over to the bed, stripping off his shirt, and shoes as he went. Then collapsed on the bed.

He stared up at the ceiling-

I want the first place you stop to be here Hatake Kakashi

…But why aren't you here to greet me Hatake Iruka?

Kakashi thought as he let his eyes close giving into his fatigue, and falling into an uneasy sleep.

'BANDS'

Shikamaru pushed the door open and walked threw. The house was slightly warm, but silent.

He frowned, usually at this time Chouji would be up fixing a huge breakfast, in which he would eat everything before Shikamaru could even reach for a pancake. "Chouji" He called, the first place he ventured being the kitchen. -If he's not in the kitchen, he's not in the house-

Shikamaru thought, -Maybe he went out to go stack up on some things-He reassured himself, Chouji was never without food-that was more than a fact.

-I'll just wait up for him- He said, feeling slightly bad that Chouji wasn't there to greet him. He walked off to there room, and collapsed onto the bed falling into an instant sleep.

'BANDS'

Neji's silver liquid eyes scanned the small apartment that was Gaara's. The whole apartment was freezing. So cold that Neji could see his breath puff out in front of him when he breathed. He narrowed his eyes, this was too cold even for Gaara, there was practically icicles growing from the ceiling, and frost covering the walls. He walked over and turned on the heater.

"Gaara-you here?" He asked into the stillness, no word.

Usually Gaara would be lurking in the shadows, waiting for a chance to catch him off guard. Neji waited, but it never came.

'BANDS'

Sasuke almost flung the door off the hinges when he didn't get an answer from Naruto. The boy slept for ungodly hours, but even Naruto couldn't sleep threw a determined Sasuke. His eyes were narrowed, -Naruto had better have a good excuse for not answering me- He slammed the door closed behind him. And sighed at how messy Naruto let the house get, now he would have to clean it up.

He looked toward the computer which had caught his eye, it was opened displaying that stupid 'Fruity Lupes' program Naruto loved so much. Usually staying up all night to mess around with it and see how many beats he could come up with, before a irritated and homicidal Sasuke would physically and not very gently drag him back to bed. He wondered why Naruto didn't turn it off. He made his way up the stairs to there room, where he was sure Naruto would be-but was confused when he pushed the door open and found out that he wasn't.

"Where is that dobe?" Sasuke growled, eyes flashing a dangerous red.

'BANDS'

Iruka stood outside the door waiting for the boys to come out, they were in there speaking to a talent agent, the same talent agent that had signed 'The Leaf' the infinite, Tsunade, who was a very rich and very powerful woman-who went by the nickname 'Gondaime' after what seemed like an eternity, Naruto, Gaara, and Chouji walked out. "So what did she say?" Naruto shivered, and Gaara looked off to the side. Chouji answered. "She said she liked what we had to offer, and we have an audition tomorrow, if she likes what she sees she'll sign us on the spot"

"That's great!" Iruka exclaimed. "So have you figured out what you would like to sing for your audition?"

They nodded, even though Naruto looked nervous.

"We decided to sing the song Naruto wrote, and if we get signed we want it to be our first single" Gaara answered, looking toward Naruto briefly. "I think it's good enough" Naruto looked over at him, but Gaara had already looked away. "I would like to hear it, of course, and you wrote it Naruto?" He asked looking toward the boy who was still staring at Gaara. "Yes, it's called 'Wind' I wrote it in your class, when you had us do that writing assignment"

Iruka thought that over a second, and then realization dawned. He nodded.

"I remember now"

"Well if that's the song you all want to do, then that's the song you will do, I have 100 percent belief in your abilities" They smiled at him, then Iruka turned signaling for them to follow.

Naruto lingered in the back, his hands behind his head. He lifted his eyes up to the ceiling, he wondered what they were getting themselves into-this could quite possibly jeopardize there relationships-he knew that Sasuke would never agree to him wanting to be a singer-but he couldn't let Chouji, Gaara, or Iruka down. He sighed. He had made up his mind, and there was nothing Sasuke could say that would make him take it back.

Naruto saw a flash of pink, and turned to his left-to see Sakura, Ino, and…Hinata?

Sakura was blushing furiously, Ino had her arm in some sort of death grip, and Hinata was trailing behind them. -What are they doing here?-

'BANDS'

They had come to the spot where they would go there separate ways, to catch up on some sleep, and then meet back up with Iruka later that night to practice the song.

"Remember you are not to tell anyone, Not. One. Person. Alright?" They nodded, waved good-bye to Iruka and took off going in four different directions.

'BANDS'

Iruka unlocked his door and stepped into his house. -I have a good and bad feeling about this whole thing- He thought as he placed his keys on the table, and took off his shoes by the door. Iruka paused, and seemed to sniff the air-there was a familiar scent that was potent in it. He hurried his pace, wondering if it really was the person he thought it was. He pulled his door open, and saw a half naked Kakashi laying sprawled out on his bed, he smiled. He was breathing softly, his silver hair dancing shadows over his pale face.

And the half mask he wore (think Trowa from Gundam Wing), which he wore just because he was Kakashi, and nothing about Kakashi was simple or made sense. He smiled lovingly at his husband, then picked up his discarded clothes and took them into the bathroom, throwing them down the chute. He walked back into the room to see that one clear blue eye was staring across at him. For some reason Iruka felt shy, and inexperienced, Kakashi could always do that to him.

"Where were you?" he asked, Iruka frowned a little at the tone of his voice, but walked over to the bed and answered him anyway. "I was out" He sat-down on the edge of the bed and took his shirt off, he was dead tired. He knew that if they were seriously going to pursue this whole singing thing, he would be dead tired a lot, and there was the whole telling Kakashi thing. He knew he wouldn't like it, but then again there was nothing he could do about it. "Doing what?" Kakashi asked again still in that same clipped voice.

"Move over, I'm tired-and I was out doing some last minute school related things..." he said trailing off as Kakashi scooted over giving Iruka some room next to him. He knew Kakashi would have to buy that, he was a teacher after all,

They were stiff next to each other for a second, and then Kakashi shifted to where his arm went around Iruka's waist. His long, slim, pale fingers tracing designs over the flat muscled planes of Iruka's tanned stomach. "There's something your not telling me Iruka" He said, making Iruka bite his lip nervously, luckily he was facing away from Kakashi. He then turned around and kissed Kakashi, hard and desperately, wanting the conversation to end, before it got to the point of no return.

"I don't want to talk Kakashi..." He said, running his tongue over Kakashi's slightly chapped lips, then dipping down to suck at his neck. He felt strong arms pull him down, and then the equally strong form of Kakashi's hovering over him, heating his body up in all the right places. "Then let's drop this discussion for now" He said as he leaned forward and captured Iruka's mouth in a hungry kiss.

For now

'BANDS'

Chouji walked into the kitchen of his house, and just looked around. Ever since his lack of weight, and his strict diet plan, he always found it hard to decide what he was going to eat. He stood there for a second pondering, than said forget it, and walked over taking out some eggs, bacon, and sausage. Then he walked over to his cabinet, and took out some pancake mix- today was a special day, a day that could mark the turning point of there very life's, and there relationships. Chouji knew all to well the stress this could put on him and Shikamaru's already stressful relationship-and although he was wary, he knew this was something he would have to do, something that Shikamaru would have to understand.

Just like he had understand his.

He took out a skillet, and buttered it up, then went over to start making the pancake batter, not forgetting to take out two more skillets, for the eggs, sausage, and bacon. He made the pancake batter first, and then turned on the eyes. He made sure they were hot enough and then placed the food on, the eggs and the pancakes cooking in two separate skillets, and the bacon, and sausages cooking in the same.

He was halfway done with the meal, (he was only waiting for the sausages and bacon), when he heard some sort of strangled gasp from behind him. He whirled around grabbing up the skillet he had cooked the pancakes in, and then paused dramatically when he saw that it was Shikamaru standing there, staring at him like he couldn't quite see him-as if he was trying to see if it was really him. "Chouji, what happened..." He walked forward slowly, (Chouji noted that Shikamaru's hair had grew)-and stopped in front of him, and then proceeded to feel him up. "Shika, um...your back..." He said, unsure of how to interpret the strained look on Shikamaru's face.

"I guess I'm to blame for your new appearance, huh?" He said looking up, Chouji met Shikamaru's eyes head on. "It's not your fault Shika, I did it half because I needed something to distract me, and half because I thought you would like a skinnier me" Shikamaru sighed, then pulled Chouji into a desperate hug. His grip tightened frantically when he realized his arms could go all the way around Chouji. "You know that's not me-but you look wonderful Chouji" Chouji smiled and kissed the top of Shikamaru's head.

"You hungry" He said in a choked voice, "I don't think I can eat it all myself"

'BANDS'

Gaara narrowed his eyes dangerously as he stepped into his house and realized the heat was on. Then his look of murder turned to confusion, who would walk into his house and turn on the heater?

"Your back" Gaara almost jumped, almost. He stared straight ahead into milky white eyes, that were eying him steadily. "It was freezing in here, I'm surprised you didn't freeze to death" He walked forward, and then Gaara walked forward, and they kept walking at that same pace until they were right in front of each other. And then they just seemed to regard each other. Gaara moved his hands threw Neji's hair, which was shorter but was still long-Neji did the same thing, noting that Gaara had grew his hair out, and this new style brought out the sheer green of his eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?" Gaara said, as he stepped back and slipped his shirt off and over his head. Neji watched him with amusement dancing in his eyes, Gaara's body was still as built and perfect as ever. "I didn't feel like it" He replied before he was swept into a searing kiss. Neji almost felt his heart explode in his chest, the thing he liked most about Gaara was his kisses, always intense and never disappointing. Gaara never wasted too much time talking, to him actions spoke louder than words. He lifted his arms up and let Gaara pull his shirt off, and then yank him forward into another breathtaking kiss by the loops of his pants.

Gaara left Neji's mouth and went to his neck, "Still as aggressive as ever..." He broke off and gasped, as Gaara bit hard into his neck, and then lifted him up. "That's how we communicate remember, or have you forgotten?" Neji pulled Gaara's head back to his for another kiss, it was like they were trying to suck off each other's faces. "Maybe, care to remind me?" Neji smirked as a look of lust passed over Gaara's forest green eyes. He did not need to be asked twice.

'BAND'

Naruto didn't find it too surprising that the first thing he saw upon entering his house was the black eyes of his dark-haired lover, Sasuke. But it didn't stop him from running into his arms.

"Sasuke! Your back! Why didn't you tell me, bastard!" Sasuke smirked, Naruto hadn't changed too much. Naruto then pulled back and stared at Sasuke's face. "So your back..." He said, blue eyes looking imploringly into black.

"For the moment, yes" Sasuke replied moving long fingers gently threw locks of blonde.

Naruto rested his head on Sasuke's chest and just listened to the beating of his heart. "I heard your new song" Naruto started softly, his eyes closing slightly, arms locking more tightly around Sasuke's waist. "You did huh, I was singing it for you" Naruto smiled. "I know-I missed you a lot Sasuke, I didn't think you would be gone this long" Sasuke was quiet, and Naruto opened his blue eyes. -I don't think I'll be able to tell you Sasuke…-

Naruto pulled away from him, making Sasuke give him a confused stare. "Naruto..."

"Hey you hungry Sasuke, I still got some ramen-if you want some-" He stopped when Sasuke grabbed hold of his arm, and turned him around. "I don't want to talk Naruto, I want us to go upstairs and catch up on some much needed sex" Naruto stared at him, feeling his face flush.

"Are you sure..." Sasuke jerked Naruto forward and crushed his lips against his, it was so desperate it almost brought tears to Naruto's eyes. But he kissed Sasuke back opening his mouth to him, Sasuke plunged his tongue into Naruto's mouth. Naruto moaned, and then pushed forward into Sasuke's mouth bringing his tongue into his, and then sucking on it.

Sasuke slammed his body into Naruto's, and they broke off for air. "Come on Naruto...let's go upstairs" Naruto pulled Sasuke into him, and started to cry. Sasuke sighed and began to move his fingers threw Naruto's hair once again.

Previous Night At Sakura's...

Ino was busy putting away the supplies that they had used to make the posters, Sakura was in the shower. Ino cursed after she had almost broke her neck trying to put the posters on the topmost part of Sakura's closet.

Her hand hit something, when she grabbed on to the top to keep her balance. She knew it was paper, and fearing that she may had ripped something important of Sakura's, she pulled it out. It wasn't ripped, but it was a song.

-Could this be the song Sakura wouldn't let me read?-Ino thought, a wicked smirk crossing her face.

She could still hear Sakura humming in the shower and she knew that it would be safe to read the song, she would just put it back when she was done.

"Rope Dancer"

I'm facing the air climbing invisible stairs

I'm alone and shaking like a rope dancer

It's calm and warm

Feels like before the storm

But I'm scared deep down like a rope dancer

If you say you can catch me when

I fall from above

I'd try to make it with the mystery of love

This game is so hard to win

But I'll stay to the bitter end

Baby I'll make it if you give me a chance

I'm walking in hope on an unstable rope

People say I've got a nice lifestyle

I don't need much

But I want you to be there in the clutch so that

I could be brave like a rope dancer

If you say you can catch me when

I fall from above

I'd try to make it with the mystery of love

This game is so hard to win

But I'll stay to the bitter end

Baby I'll make it if you give me the strength...the strength

I'm howling out loud to keep my balance somehow

I'm alone and fighting against danger

It's tough

It's rough

But I know where there's a will, there's a way

If you say you can catch me when

I fall from above

I'd try to make it with the mystery of love

This game is so hard to win

But I'll stay to the bitter end

Baby I'll make it if you give me a chance

one more chance

Do you believe me?

Do you believe me?

Ino stared down at the paper, feeling something grip tight to her heart-

This song was beautiful, and Sakura had written it-why had she been so afraid to let me read this?

Did she think I would make fun of her, is this what are friendship has come too?

She heard the water turn off in the bathroom, and she knew that Sakura was done.

She gripped the song in her hand, her face set in determination.

She stood waiting for Sakura to come out.

To Be Continued...

'Rope Dancer' by Bonnie Pink (my absolute favorite song by her)

I'm not really proud of this chapter, but it plays up to what I'm trying to do and accomplish with this story choice-

Sakura and Ino, I now know the role they are going to play in this story, which is a very big one if I play my cards right-I'm also going to try to squeeze in some of the other characters-since I'm looking for some Sakura/Lee romance-and others.

Next Chapter- Sakura and Ino meet up with Naruto, Chouji, and Gaara at they're audition and the secrets blown...