Hi all, I know it's been a bit. I got really sick and then we had to split the holidays between 3 families and visiting friends and such. Tallman has been diligently working on a new chapter (it's worth the wait. I promise) but progress has been slow because of issues with school/work. His interview for his doctorate program is this weekend. He's had a lot of paperwork and such to do in preparation for that. I have a backlog of chapters I've been pecking away at in the meantime as we coordinate the crossovers. Even though our stories now interconnect, there won't be a direct 1:1 ratio. I will more than likely post more frequently than he will. I know those of you who have been here since the beginning were pretty spoiled with the 2x a week uploads. That being said, I appreciate your patience and the messages/reviews you have been sending me in the meantime. It's good to know people are still interested. Keep them coming, and please enjoy!

As the soft giggles of the love-struck couple drifted down the hall, Beki sighed wearily. There weren't enough words for Beki to express how happy she was that Hinata had her lover back but at the same time it shone a spotlight on Beki's loneliness. The two girls had been sisters in arms in the war that was long distance relationships. Now that Naruto had returned, Hinata had left Beki to fight all on her own. Not to mention how oblivious the two of them were in their joy, and how much that sheer unadulterated happiness bummed other people out.

Beki snuck down the stairs for the billionth time so as not to disturb them. One of these days I'm going to stop being so considerate, Beki thought to herself as she headed for the door. Ebisu was off on a mission with his squad so Beki had the week off of training with him. She had spent the last couple of days grinding away at the Raijin jutsu with no success, so Beki decided to take the next few days off training all together. That was why she looked halfway decent that morning. The weather decent and knowing she wouldn't have to get sweaty and gross. Beki was delighted at the opportunity to finally bust out one of her sundresses. It was still hot for late summer and Beki hoped to pick up just a little more of a tan to hold her over through the long winter. She did everything she could to combat her ghostly complexion.

The dress she picked was a rosy floral in bright blues, reds, pinks, and greens. The strong colors made her look more alive and made her silvery eyes appear bluer. Beki had figured out a long time ago that putting a little effort into her appearance when she was feeling gloomy had a positive effect on her. It was an extra layer of protection, like thin plate armor, one more thing that the day's bullshit would have to get through before it could bother her. She could say to herself, "Yeah today sucks, but at least I look fine."

Since her social life had taken such a serious hit, Beki had decided to go to the bookstore for some fictional companionship. The windows of the bookshop were full of advertisements for the perverted Make Out series. Beki spotted Sakura hovering near the window while shaking her head.

"I don't know what the appeal is," Sakura sighed.

"To what, softcore lit porn?" Beki interjected. Sakura turned and shot her a dirty look, but after recognizing Beki her face softened.

"Kakashi sensei's birthday is coming up and I'd like to get him a gift. I was thinking about ordering him the special edition of it but I don't know if it's worth the cost," Sakura sighed. "Besides, I hate to be seen buying such a thing…"

Beki laughed. "The only difference between the 'special edition' and the regular edition is the inclusion of two alternate endings. Naruto was talking the other night about how Jiraiya made him read through three different endings and pick which one he thought was best. So the official ending is that the heroine was put into cryogenic sleep until a cure for the neurodegenerative virus was found, and the alternate endings are that the heroine dies poetically in the hero's arms and the other ending is that the hero discovers that the heroine was actually a set of twins and gets to be with the healthy twin in the end."

"I don't even need to know the plot to think those endings are contrived-" Sakura started to say when the girls both noticed a high-pitched squealing noise, like a tea kettle boiling over. They turned to face the source and saw a grown man as red as a turnip. He had crushed the paper coffee cup in his hand and the steaming liquid was dripping down his gloved hand.

"Kakashi sensei!" Sakura blinked. "I didn't hear you walk up."

"Spoilers…" His one visible eye was wide and after a stunned moment he turned his maddened gaze upon Beki. "Did you really just spoil a book that hasn't even come out yet?"

"Oops?" Beki scratched the back of her head. "You know, I could be remembering it wrong. It might be different."

"No," Kakashi threw his coffee cup in the trash. "Now it's ruined."

"Don't tell me you actually read these things for the plot?!" Beki scoffed.

"You just don't understand!" Kakashi stomped his foot and turned on his heel.

Beki watched in uncomfortable silence as the man trudged away muttering to himself. "That's your sensei?"

Sakura shrugged and smiled awkwardly. "I told you, he really likes those books and he really hates spoilers. And being on time. For anything. Ever."

Beki couldn't help but think that the old man seemed unstable, but he was Sakura and Naruto's sensei, not hers. If Kakashi and Ebisu were examples of some of the best Konoha had to offer, it was no wonder that the best went ronin to get away from the crazy. Sakura walked inside the store and Beki followed. The girls parted ways to take care of their respective business. Beki picked out a couple of crime novels and the first book in some long series about a vengeful dragon princess.

As she walked out of the shop she held up the dragon princess novel and one of the crime fiction books. What kind of mood am I in? She asked herself. Dragons or murder?

There was a soft tug on the hem of her skirt. Beki looked down expecting to see one of the kindergarteners she worked with. Instead, she saw a hand made out of sand slinking out of sight into the alley beside the bookshop. Beki nearly threw her books down in excitement. As she stuffed them back in the bag Beki ran full speed into the alley. There was no need to be cautious, she thought. There was only one person that could be.

"Gaara?!" She hissed in an excited whisper.

The Kazekage stood mostly in shadow but even in the dark he commanded attention. A small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. Gaara barely had time to hold his arms out in front of him before Beki pressed herself against him and threw her arms around his neck. She breathed deeply, inhaling the familiar scent of sandalwood and sunshine. A weight Beki was unaware she had been carrying was lifted off her. The subsequent feeling of relief that washed over her was euphoric. Beki felt that just by physically being there Gaara made everything better.

"I missed you," Beki's voice came out as little more than a whisper. Gaara laced his fingers through her hair and kissed the crown of her head.

"It's getting to the point where being separated from you causes me physical discomfort," He rested his head on top of hers. "It's like a hunger that doesn't go away until I'm with you."

"I know what you mean," Beki said as she ran her fingers through his hair, gently tracing her nails along his scalp. Beki slowed her breathing and focused on the sound of his heart beat. A small wave of shock went through her a few moments later as she felt her own heartbeat change to match his. It was moments like this that she knew her feelings for him weren't all in her head. Beki's body and her subconscious reached out for Gaara whenever he near, almost as thought it was trying to memorize him. It was Beki's self-defense mechanism against loneliness: a series of ever more concrete memories of the Kazekage to hold onto in his absence.

Gaara pulled away and tipped her chin up. Beki gave him the mischievous grin he was looking for and he kissed her long and hard. It always surprised him how much he enjoyed kissing her. It wasn't just the smell of her skin or the taste of her lips: the best part of kissing was feeling how much Beki wanted him. The second best part was that it was a foolproof way for Gaara to show Beki how much he loved her. Sometimes when he tried to tell her the words fell short and came out sounding flat. He pulled her closer and Beki locked her arms around his waist.

As Beki leaned into the kiss she felt Gaara's lips pull back into a smile. Kage or not, she thought he was the cutest person she had ever met. Sure, on the outside he looked like the drummer for a metal steampunk band, but on the inside he was just as nervous and excited as she was. She was enjoying herself immensely but Beki couldn't help herself from getting into some mischief. She slid her hands down from between his shoulder blades along the curve of his back. Just before they reached their target, Gaara pulled away and looked her dead in the eye with his forehead pressed against hers.

"Getting frisky in public, Miss Tsukimori?" Beki had finally known Gaara long enough to catch the tiny glint in his eye when he was joking. "Your father would be ashamed."

"I'm just doing recon," Beki leaned around him and tried to fish under his jacket for his backside. "I've never seen your butt. The coat is always covering it so I'm kind of suspicious that you don't actually have one."

Sand hands seeped out of his gourd and took ahold of Beki's hands, pinning them up by her ears.

"Normally, I'm a man of peace," Gaara sighed. "In situations like this I'm forced to believe in an eye for an eye."

"No!" Beki squirmed playfully as he reached around behind her. Instead of taking ahold of her bottom like she expected him to, Gaara started to tickle her ribs. Beki squealed and kicked her feet like a cornered child. The sand hands were powerful and sustained her weight as she crunched herself in a ball in a futile attempt to protect her ribs with her knees. Having finished with his fun, Gaara held out his arms and the sand hands lowered her into his embrace. Beki was still laughing as she leaned into him. Gaara couldn't help but smile at the sight of her infectious joy and her adorable lopsided smile. As he looked her over, his eyes fell on the rise and fall of her chest and Gaara felt a flush creeping into his cheeks.

"Beki, I want you to come away with me," He watched her face for a reaction, half expecting revulsion or anger. Time and time again Beki had made it clear she was genuinely infatuated with him but years of rejection took time to undo.

"You're cute," Beki pat his cheek as she lowered herself onto the ground. She kept her arms wrapped around his neck and pressed her forehead against his. "Where are we running away to?"

Gaara shook his head. "We aren't running away, not truly," Beki cocked an eyebrow and he continued. "You and I never get any time alone together."

"Oh? What do you call this?" Beki jerked her head further down the abandoned alley.

"I call it a half measure," Gaara held her waist and felt the softness of her skin through her cotton dress. Beki was powerful and had a muscular physique. When she wore dresses, however, they softened her lines and emphasized the smallness of her waist, the slope of her breasts, and the curve of her rear. Beki was always lovely but on days like this she was downright gorgeous. It was hard for him to think when he was around her. He was overwhelmed by the sight, the smell, and the feel of her. Focus, Gaara, he thought.

"There is a house on the beach," Gaara shook his head to clear it. "To call it a 'house' is generous. It's a shack, really, but it belongs to my family. We used to go there when we were children. I want to take you."

"That's a sweet idea," Beki cocked her head. "Someday when I've got a little more freedom-"

"I meant now," Gaara slid his hands along her arms and took her hands out from behind his neck. He held both of her hands against his heart as he continued. "We've been together for almost two years now, Beki. Most of out in person visits have gone less than perfectly. Everything is always interrupting us: our friends, our jobs, our families." Gaara looked her dead in the eye. "I want to be alone with you."

Something about his gaze sent shivers of excitement down Beki's spine. Gaara's tone and the intensity of his gaze made Beki feel like they were crossing into uncharted waters. There was a physical craving there that she had never felt from him before. Then again, Gaara may have just been too shy before. Up until this point, their relationship had felt like a formal courtship. All their "dates" had been in public places or within spitting distance of his brother or other nosy parties. The letters, the dinners, and the roses had made it all feel like a fairy tale. Beki half believed that it was a story she was reading, that it wasn't really her life. Nothing had happened that made Beki feel like she was permanent, as if at any point someone else could have switched her with another girl and nothing would change. Now she had her confirmation: Gaara wanted to be alone with Beki. He wanted Beki.

Warmth started to rise within Beki and she flushed. Over time, Beki had gotten pretty good at hassling Gaara to cover her own insecurities about their relationship. She teased him about being shy and proper. Now he was calling her bluff. The growing silence was stretching from thoughtful into awkward territory when Beki finally found her voice. She slid her hands up his chest until her arms were locked around his neck again.

"Gaara, I would love that," Beki shook her head. "But I can't just disappear for two days. It's not like I can go to the Hokage and say 'Hey, I'm going on a vacation with my boyfriend, the Kazekage, for a few days. See you later'. If my father didn't kill you on the spot it would still cause a scandal for three villages."

Gaara gently pulled her closer to him. "I have a plan. No one will know you're gone and we'll be back before you know it."

"What kind of plan?" Beki narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. "Are you going to leave a sand clone?"

Gaara chuckled softly. "No, it's more convincing than that. Ye of little faith. I'm the Kazekage; I should be able to kidnap you for a few days successfully. I run a village, after all."

"Speaking of which, who will run things while you're gone?" Beki asked.

"I've arranged things so they'll run themselves for a few days," Gaara explained. "My brother can take care of anything serious that pops up while I'm gone."

Beki shuffled awkwardly in his arms and looked at her feet self-consciously. "Beki, it's a simple yes or no question. Will you go to the beach with me?" Gaara held her shoulders and positioned himself so she was forced to look him in the eye.

Beki immediately began to think of all the reasons why she couldn't run off so suddenly but then she got caught in the deep pools of Gaara's green eyes. Her train of thought derailed. She thought to herself all that she wanted was to be with him if only for a little longer. With a sigh, Beki gave in and said:

"Alright. I'll go home and pack. I swear if we get busted, though, you're taking the heat."

Gaara held up his right hand. "I solemnly swear your dignity will remain intact and any and all repercussions will be mine to deal with"

"I don't care about my dignity," Beki kissed him. "That's yours to do with as you wish."

Gaara's eyes grew wide at her forwardness and he swallowed nervously. Unable to find a response, he took her hand and kissed it. "I'll come pick you up later." As he turned to leave, Beki grabbed his hand and yanked him back to her. She planted a hard kiss on his lips that sent a chill down his spine.

"See ya, Kazekage sama," Beki spun on her heel and skipped off down the alley. She was already mentally trying to put together what she could pack for such a spontaneous romantic getaway, knowing full well the whole time she made her retreat his eyes were on her butt.

…

"I thought I would find you here," Gaara said as he took the stool beside Naruto.

Naruto's head snapped up from his bowl of ramen, the noodles dangling from his mouth slapping against his cheek with the violent motion. "Oh! Gaara! I didn't know you were in town!" He sucked up the noodles and smiled. One of the noodles had broken and so the nub was plastered to Naruto's cheek. Gaara chose not to mention it to him.

"I know we seldom see each other but I had a favor to ask of you," Gaara motioned at Teuchi. "He can have another bowl on me."

"Well, gosh, Gaara," Naruto smiled. "Thanks buddy. What can I help you with?"

"Beki and I would like to spend some time alone together away from the public eye," Gaara's voice was too low for a passerby to hear and his tone so disinterested no one would think to eavesdrop. "I've made arrangements so my absence won't disrupt anything in Suna."

"That's no problem," Naruto shook his head. "I'll tell Hinata what's going on and-"

Gaara folded his arms. "Hinata may not have a problem with my relationship with Beki because she sees us as two regular people. The rest of the world sees us as the Kazekage and the daughter of a Getsu ambassador."

Naruto blinked in confusion. "So, you're afraid people will gossip?" Gaara stared at the counter, trying to find the words to express his feelings on the matter. "Oh," Naruto smiled sheepishly. "You don't want her dad to find out, huh?"

Gaara's eyes grew wide and he nodded. "If he finds out I'm a dead man."

"I get it, I get it, my future father-in-law is a scary guy, too," Naruto took a bite of his noodles. "What you want me to do is make it like Beki never left?"

"That would be best," Gaara said. "The less people who know about it the fewer loose ends to we'll have to deal with later."

"It'll be easy," Naruto waved dismissively. "Beki can just tell Hinata she'll be busy training. We all live together so it would be simple for me to transform into her and make some cameos around town."

"I really appreciate this, Naruto," Gaara said. "You of all people can understand how hard it is to build meaningful relationships when you have a history like ours. I feel like I have a chance at true happiness with Beki but it's such a long and delicate process."

"You're a rock star, Gaara," Naruto chuckled. "You made Kazekage at fifteen. You don't have anything to worry about it."

"That's just it, Naruto," Gaara explained. "As a shinobi I excel, but I have never learned the social skills required to make and keep friends. Let alone a girlfriend. So far, Beki has been patient with me in spite of all my transgressions. That's why I believe if we get to spend some time alone together away from the politics and our work we can make some headway as a couple."

Naruto nodded. "I would say Hinata and I didn't get to do much growing as a couple until we started living together. It always amazed me how doing stuff like grocery shopping or doing housework with someone could be so intimate."

Gaara cracked the tiniest smile. "The first time I talked to Beki alone she was grocery shopping. I carried her bags."

"See what I mean?!" Naruto clapped him on the shoulder. "You don't need me giving you any hints. You intuitively know what to do. Follow your gut."

"Thank you, Naruto," Gaara said as he stood and placed his money on the counter. "I'll see you around."

"Good luck, ya slayer!" Naruto smiled. Gaara stopped dead and gave him an odd look.

"Have I given you the impression I plan to kill Beki?" Gaara's eyes widened slightly with concern. "I hope that isn't what Beki thinks. I suppose this was rather sudden and I'm taking her somewhere isolated-"

"No, Gaara," Naruto sighed. "I mean that you're successful with the ladies."

The look on Gaara's face worsened. "Who has been spreading these rumors?"

Naruto shook his head. "Forget it Gaara. Have fun."

After he had left, Naruto started on his second bowl of ramen. Maybe if Gaara got laid he would learn to relax a little. It's up to you, Beki, Naruto thought.

…

When Naruto got home Beki was ready to walk out the door with a suitcase. "Oh, hey Naruto," Beki's eyes darted from side to side. "I was just, uh,"

Naruto held up a hand and smiled conspiratorially. "Gaara already talked to me. I know what's going on."

Beki heaved a sigh and grew visibly more relaxed. "So you're going to help us?"

Naruto formed hand signs and turned into a perfect replica of Beki. "See? I've got this."

Beki nodded, staring at a suspiciously perfect copy of her own breasts. "Just make sure you put on some clothes before you go out."

Oh," "Naruto flushed. "Sorry, habit. Beki, wait"

"What's up?" She asked her hand on the doorknob.

"Be gentle with him, okay?" Naruto gave her a worried look. "Gaara is a really great guy but he's not so good with knowing how to do, eh," Naruto struggled to find the right words without sounding mean. "He doesn't know how to behave, well, like a normal person. He didn't really get to see how friends or couples act, you know?"

Beki laughed. "I've figured out that much by now. On our first date he talked about the noise an eyeball makes when it pops."

Naruto watched Beki walk out the door and shook his head. He was glad that Gaara's strange behavior didn't scare Beki off. In an odd, mismatched sort of way, Naruto thought the two of them would be a pretty good couple. Gaara was serious and was always eager to learn new things. Beki was patient and had a good sense of humor. Naruto smiled to himself. If this went well, they would have the best double dates ever because Gaara and Naruto were best friends and Beki and Hinata were best friends. They would be a really cool, really small gang.

With those hopeful thoughts, Naruto went upstairs. He threw on an outfit he had seen Beki wear before and instantly hated the construction of a bra. How did women wear these things all the time? He decided to putter around Beki's room until Hinata got home, tell her that Naruto was out training and that Beki was going to bed. After Hinata wished her goodnight, Naruto would hop out of the window, transform back into himself, and enjoy a night alone with his wife to be. Flawless, Naruto, he smiled smugly to himself. You are a genius!