Love Stays

by Heartaker

Chapter Seven

Iruka stood in the soft light of his kitchen reading over the song that Gaara had wrote, it was more than a last minute song change-This could quite possibly set them back on there dream. That was what he had thought at first, but standing there in the dim light of the kitchen-it started to make sense. This was the perfect song choice, they had to get the crowd up and screaming before 'The Leaf' even hit the stage, 'Wind' wouldn't do them justice, not just yet. He folded the paper away and rubbed at his tired eyes. Have I made the right choice, am I really doing the right thing?

They would have to be up, real early tomorrow, if they were going to even begin to pull off the whole disguise scheme. Iruka felt sort a bad having to lie to Kakashi, lead him on, but what other choice did he have? He couldn't turn back now, it was too late for that, and even if it wasn't he wouldn't give up. Iruka didn't believe in giving up. I'm going to have to call the school, tell them that I'm going to need a fill in, maybe for forever. Iruka's whole body stiffened as he heard the lock click, and saw the door slowly open.

Iruka made sure the song was safely hidden, and then walked to the entrance of the kitchen. Kakashi walked in looking ragged, his usually sparkling silver hair, more of a dark grey, falling over his face and neck like he had just come in from a downpour. Iruka instantly kicked into alert. "Kashi, you look like shit!" He said. Okay I didn't mean for it to come out like that. He walked over, and made to grab Kakashi's arm, but it was jerked away from him. "Kashi-what-"

"I've always trusted you Iruka, but I feel like your keeping something from me" He then lifted his head up and fixed Iruka with a weary but firm look. "I'm tired, I just want to shower and go to bed" Iruka stepped away from him. Feeling like someone had stabbed him in the chest. "Alright-I love you, good-night" Kakashi paused, his shoulders stiffening. He then sighed. "I love you too Iruka-and when I step out the shower I want to see you in that bed ready for me, got that" Iruka smiled. "You got it" Kakashi nodded, and then disappeared up the stairs.

Iruka turned away from the stairs and walked into the kitchen, he seated himself down at the table. He waited until he heard a door close, and the water start before he took out a piece of paper, and started to write.

HiddenVillageTheLeafArtificialSweetner

Chouji looked up from his seat on the couch, as the door opened and Shikamaru trudged in looking like he was sleepwalking. Chouji smiled softly, and stood up. Loving the fact that he was now taller than Shikamaru. He walked over and wrapped his arms around Shikamaru. His shirt was damp, and reeked of sweat, and musk. The smell assaulted his nostrils, but he did not let go of his love, who sighed tiredly, and wrapped his arms around Chouji's now slim waist.

"Your tired, you should really rest" Chouji reprimanded lightly, smiling against Shikamaru's wet locks of brown.

Shikamaru mumbled something into Chouji's shirt, and Chouji laughed. "You do smell, come on I'll get the bath started for you" Chouji offered, wrapping his free arm around Shikamaru's shoulder and guiding him up the stairs. Shikamaru collapsed down onto the toilet seat, and watched as Chouji started up the bath-a content look on his face. "Glad to see that you pampering me hasn't changed" Shikamaru joked, a small smile on his face. Chouji laughed, and added the scents into the water.

Cherry, because Chouji loved the taste and the smell of cherries.

The warmth of the water rising like vapors into the air, seemed to wrap Shikamaru into a blanket, and he was about to fall forward but Chouji reached forward and grabbed hold of his shoulders lifting him up. "Let's hurry up and get you cleaned, so that you can sleep. You guys really shouldn't work your self's so hard." Chouji scolded as he peeled Shikamaru out of his damp clothes. Shikamaru's, thin form, over layered with taut muscle seemed to speak to Chouji-but he held himself back, and pulled Shikamaru's, soaked threw pants, and boxers off-blushing lightly as Shikamaru's cock brushed against his arm.

He then gently lowered Shikamaru into the water. Shikamaru sighed in contentment and then leaned his head back. Chouji took Shikamaru's place on the toilet seat and just watched his lover, loving how the warm water played with his skin. Shikamaru was still for seconds, head leaned back against the wall, eyes closed. Chouji was beginning to think he had fallen asleep in the water. "Chouji?" Chouji jumped, "Why don't you join me" Shikamaru opened his eyes and looked at Chouji, he would not take no for an answer. Chouji blushing like mad, nodded his head, and started to undress.

HiddenVillageTheLeafArtificialSweetner

Gaara stood leaned up against the wall, waiting for the familiar twist of the doorknob, and the familiar form of Neji. He didn't have to wait long, for the door was more like pushed open, and then the exhausted form of Neji walked threw. He closed the door behind him, and then he leaned heavily against it. He was tired! He moved his hands behind his head and snapped the rubber band loose, knotted damp hair fell over his face and shoulders. He was just about collapse to the ground, when he tensed and looked up.

I know your in here Gaara, and I'm not in the mood for your games. He growled to himself. "Gaara, come out now-I don't have time for this" Gaara seemed to realize this, because he walked out of the shadows, his green eyes looking glazed and angry. "What aren't you in the mood for?" He asked evenly, though his teeth were clenched. Neji sighed and moved tired fingers threw his hair, wincing as he encountered knots and tangles. "I'm tired Gaara, that's all-plus I have to get out early tomorrow" Gaara's eyes narrowed dangerously, he advanced on Neji. Neji tensed, but didn't move.

Gaara didn't stop until him and Neji were chest to chest, then he pulled back Neji's hair, ringing out the excess water. "Alright." He said, making Neji tense even more. "Go take a shower-then go to bed"

"Don't order me around" Neji growled, pushing Gaara none to gently away from him. "You said you were tired!" Gaara growled back. "I'm giving you an alternative"

Neji's pale eyes seemed to darken, but then he looked away, and seemed to stare at nothing. "Kiss me" He said in a voice of whispers. Gaara's eyebrows rose, and his arms that he had previously crossed over his chest, loosened. "What?"

"Kiss me, dammit!" Gaara stood there for a second, wondering what was wrong with Neji-but eventually he walked forward, grabbing Neji by the shoulders. Neji's heartbeat quickened with unheeding anticipation-before Gaara's hot lips were on him. This is what I hold on to, when there's nothing else. Neji thought as his arms tightened around Gaara's neck.

HiddenVillageTheLeafArtificialSweetner

Naruto stood in the bathroom humming to himself, he was styling his hair in the mirror. Hmmm, I'm going to have to dye my hair-but what color, what color, what color? Naruto continued to hum happily to himself, thinking about tomorrow, and the fact that he was going to be singing to thousands of people. People that he knew! His heart then knotted. Maybe the disguises were a good idea after all, if everybody knew it was them, they would surely hate them, and they'd fail before they even started.

He frowned, his happy mood diminishing. Where's Sasuke, he should've been here! Naruto shouted in his head. "What are you doing, dobe?" Sasuke asked, from his spot leaned up against the siding of the bathroom's entrance. Naruto almost jumped out of his skin. "Geez Sasuke, will you stop sneaking up on me!" Sasuke smiled, then looked at the hair care products piled around the sidings of the sink. "What are you doing?" Naruto panicked. "Nothing. You see nothing Saaaasuuuke, it's all in your iiiimaaaaginaaaation!-" Sasuke bopped him on the head, frowning to hide his amusement. "Don't be a dobe-"

He started taking his shirt off, Naruto watched him, his cheeks reddening, as he heard the sound of Sasuke's pants unzipping, play tenfold in his ear. Man, Sasuke is hot! Naruto screamed to himself, as he tried to restrain himself from jumping on said hot Sasuke. He could tell by Sasuke's posture that he was tired. A shower and a good night of sleep would be good for him. "I'll just put this stuff away, and leave you to your shower, Sasuke" He reached for the gel, but his wrist was snagged-He turned to see Sasuke frowning at him. "What have I told you about being a dobe?"

Naruto snatched his wrist free from Sasuke, and glared at him. "I happen to know that your very tired Sasuke, so I'm offering you some 'alone relaxation time', bastard" Naruto explained in irritation, going back for the gel, only to stop when he felt warm lips on his neck. Sasuke's hands slipping up his shirt, to rub over his stomach, chest and nipples. Naruto's breath caught, as he gripped Sasuke's shoulders.

"Lift up your arms" Naruto obeyed, and lifted his arms up, Sasuke disposed of his shirt. Then kissed his way up Naruto's neck, to his chin, licking along the curve, and then coming up to lick his lips. Naruto was shivering like a wet dog. Sasuke's hand moved down his defined chest and stomach, to rest on his hips, before he moved towards Naruto's zipper. "Sasuke!" Naruto screeched, making Sasuke reel back in annoyance. "What! Naruto, shit!" Naruto smiled, then pushed pass Sasuke, and over to the shower where he turned it on. When the shower was at the right temperature-He stripped off the rest of his clothes, and threw a coy look to Sasuke from over his shoulder, before stepping into the shower.

Sasuke watched him with hungry eyes, as the water ran over Naruto's strong, tanned body. Naruto (flushed face making him look even more irresistible), moved his hands down his body and started to play with himself. If Sasuke was capable he would have gaped at him. Why am I still standing here? Sasuke thought. He quickly pulled off his clothes, and jumped into the shower to assist Naruto in his ministrations.

HiddenVillageTheLeafArtificialSweetner

Sakura, Hinata, and Ino walked down the road just as the sun was beginning to set. There audition had been a success, and they were going to be going on right after the 'Mystery Band' 'Hidden Village'- "Why do you all think Naruto, Chouji, Gaara, and Iruka-sensei were there?" Sakura asked, she couldn't get the encounter out of her mind, no matter how hard she tried. "For the same reason we were obviously" Ino answered. "Do you think the Gondaime liked them?" Sakura looked up ahead, and then crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't know-we won't know that until we actually see them right?"

Ino nodded. Hinata nodded too, I just know Naruto made it. Hinata thought, a warm smile overtaking her lips. "We forgot to recruit the girls!" Ino groaned slapping her forehead. She then looked at Sakura. "You think we still have time?"

"I don't think it's really necessary, they're going to be there whether we recruit them or not-I say we surprise them" Ino seemed to glow. "Aya, and Mizuki are going to be sooooo jealous!" Sakura shook her head smiling. They made it to Hinata's house, to ask her mom if she could spend the night at Sakura's. "Make sure you call Kiba and tell him-so he won't unleash the dogs on us" Ino said seriously, even though mirth danced in her blue eyes. Hinata nodded, the same mirth present in her's. She disappeared inside her house.

Sakura sat down on the porch steps, Ino looked down at her, noticing the troubled look on her best-friends face. She sat down next to her. "What's up?" Sakura sighed and rested her elbows on her knees. "Do you really think we have what it takes Ino-You really think we're going to do good" Ino scooted closer to Sakura, and rested her head on her friends shoulder. "I believe it with all my heart Sakura-I believe this more than I've ever believed in anything..." Sakura smiled, and laid her head down on Ino's.

"You still think about him sometimes?" Sakura asked. Ino knew who she was talking about without having to put a name to it. "I do, sometimes, maybe this is my way of getting back at him for denying me, or maybe this is my way at forgetting all about him" Ino closed her eyes, feeling tears building up at the corners. "But you loved him" Sakura whispered, feeling her own heart begin to ache at losing Sasuke to Naruto. "I know you did"

Ino sighed. "Of course I loved him, he was the first boy I ever kissed-the first boy I ever truly liked, the first boy that wasn't afraid of me and my aggressive nature" A tear slide down her face, just as a tear slide down Sakura's. "He was the first boy that ever made me feel loved, so that I wouldn't have to be afraid of it" Sakura reached over and threw her arm around Ino's shoulders. "I guess we both still have a lot to learn, and a long way to go huh?" Ino nodded her head. "We'll get there, Sakura, we'll get there together!"

Sakura laughed sadly against Ino's hair. Then placed a kiss on top of her head.

I know we will, Ino-

To Be Continued...

Gasp! No songs in this chapter. This was more like a filler, but I'm really proud of it.

I like the whole Sakura and Ino friendship, it reminds me a friend I had long time ago, and how close we use to be-

Yes, Ino IS talking about Shikamaru. (I was going to have it be a OC, but decided against it, because I like ShikaIno too)

Next Chapter- The Concert Part One…