I do not own Naruto, nor do I make any money off of this.
"talking"
'thinking'
Chapter 22:
After the party, Temari and Naruto began to date. Kurama had to admit that she liked Temari a lot more than she liked Sakura. The girl had a good head on her shoulders and respected Naruto's space. She didn't call several times a day as she was more of a texter than a caller. Kohaku also liked her. Sasuke on the other hand had a hard time seeing Naruto with Temari. He had started seeing Kakashi again, hoping the man would be able to help him with his feelings. Kakashi had been a good help to keep Sasuke from doing something bad. Shukaku had mixed feelings. He was glad that Naruto was happy, but something told him that Naruto's happiness wasn't real.
Shukaku and Naruto sat playing video games as Matatabi and Kohaku were playing with some legos. Kurama walked into the room and gave them some snacks. She looked at the TV. "Having fun?"
"These stupid characters aren't moving the way I want them to," Naruto said.
"Guess you need more practice," Kurama said. "Well, have fun!" She smiled before leaving the room. Naruto glanced at Shukaku, whose eyes were watching Kurama.
Feeling Naruto's eyes on him, Shukaku turned towards Naruto. "What?"
"You were staring at her again," Naruto said. Shukaku blushed and looked away. "You should tell her how you feel."
"She's out of my league," Shukaku said. "Besides, she still loves Itachi."
"I don't think that will ever change," Naruto admitted. "But I also think that you two would make a good couple. Sure there is a big age difference, but I don't think you should let that stop you."
Shukaku sighed. "I don't know."
Naruto put his arm around the brunet. "You won't know until you try." Shukaku smiled.
-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-
"Hey," Gaara said as he stepped into the house.
"Hi Gaara!" Naruto said. He turned to the woman behind the red-head. "Hi Temari."
Temari smiled. "This place is huge."
"Yeah," Naruto nodded. "I still get lost sometimes." He rubbed at the back of his neck. "But don't worry, I'll make sure you don't." He led the two into the game room. Shukaku looked up at their arrival and grinned. Not even having to say a word, Gaara and Shukaku made their way over to play Air Hockey. "I'll go get some drinks!" He turned and walked out of the room. Temari glanced at her brother who was too focused on his game against Shukaku to notice her stare. She counted to ten in her head before going after Naruto.
-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-
"...and this one as well," Neji said and he handed Sasuke a piece of paper. The raven sighed as he signed it.
"When are you coming back?" Shikamaru asked. "Things have been troublesome since you…"
"The police have found the one responsible for Itachi's death," Sasuke said. "I've been busy with my lawyers."
"I understand," Neji said. "I'll make sure to keep our rivals from finding out the situation you are in."
"Good," Sasuke nodded. "It would be bad if they tried to move in one our clients during my absence. I'll make sure that this doesn't go one for too long." He took a sip of his water, before glancing at the clock. "I suppose it's time for lunch." He stood up. "Shall we go out today?" Neji and Shikamaru looked at each other before stating their agreements. Sasuke grabbed his suit jacket and headed for the door. Neji and Shikamaru followed behind him.
-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-
Shukaku scored the winning point and cheered. He then looked around and noticed that Naruto wasn't back yet. And on top of that, Temari was missing. "Maybe she went to the bathroom."
"She's been gone awhile," Gaara said, a bit concerned.
"It is a big house," Shukaku said. "She could have gotten lost. We should go see it we can find her."
"Let's get Naruto first," Gaara said. "An extra pair of eyes would be good." Shukaku and Gaara left the room. The two nearly ran into Sasuke, Neji, and Shikamaru on the way. Shukaku quickly explained things while Gaara kept his eyes on Neji. Neji felt the eyes on him, turned towards Gaara and smiled. Gaara blushed and turned away. Shikamaru saw the exchange. 'Interesting,' he thought. The group made their way towards the kitchen. Their eyes widened at the scene in front of them. Naruto and Temari were making out as the older blond had the younger pinned against the counter. Several cans of soda lay on both the counter and the floor, one of which had broken open upon its impact with the floor.
Shukaku caught the clenching of Sasuke's fists, before he glanced into the man's eyes. He saw anger in those black eyes that he hadn't seen before. Gulping, he decided not to let things continue. He coughed causing Temari and Naruto to stop kissing. Naruto blushed and Temari stepped back to give him some space. Her eyes found Sasuke's and she smirked. Naruto was too busy finding a spot on the floor very appealing to see the silent exchange between Sasuke and Temari.
Once again, Shukaku took it upon himself to lighten the mood. "I'm a bit hungry. Why don't we pick up those drinks and head out for lunch?"
"That's what we were about to do," Neji said, catching on to Shukaku's plan. Gaara also caught on and started picking up the can. Naruto decided to go along with it and started helping Gaara. Shikamaru distracted Sasuke enough for him to calm down and to keep Temari alive. After ten more minutes, the group of seven were in the back of one of Sasuke's cars. Naruto sat in between Temari and Sasuke, wondering why the atmosphere felt so heavy. Sasuke kept glaring at Temari while she just smirked back at him. During the lunch, Neji and Shukaku managed to keep the peace. Gaara and Shikamaru helped as much as they could. Once it was over, Gaara decided it was better if they went home. He grabbed his sister's arm and began to pull her down the street.
"Hold on!" Neji called after them. "I'll walk with you." He easily caught up to them. "There is something I need to pick up anyway." He turned towards Shikamaru. "See you back at the office." Shikamaru nodded.
"Bye Naruto!" Temari said, as Gaara pulled on her arm again. She glared at her brother, but followed him anyway.
"I need to get back to the office," Shikamaru said, not wanting to be around Sasuke for much longer.
"Bye Shika!" Naruto said. Shikamaru raised a hand in a little wave before he disappeared down the next street. Naruto, Sasuke, and Shukaku got back in Sasuke's car and returned to the Uchiha Mansion. Sasuke stopped passed Kurama who raised an eyebrow at his behavior. She glanced at Naruto who looked just as confused as she did. Then her eye met Shukaku's. She instantly knew that he had a idea of what was going on.
-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-
Neji slipped his phone number into Gaara's pocket before he separated from the siblings. Once he was gone, Gaara glared at Temari. "What?"
"Do you understand what you did?" Gaara asked.
Temari sighed. "So what? Naruto and I are dating. You'd think people would expect us to kiss." She crossed her arms. "Besides, how was I supposed to know that it would anger Sasuke?"
Gaara frowned. He didn't want Temari or Naruto to be hurt and that was why he'd been against the two of them getting together. He knew that their relationship wasn't going to last and it scared him that he'd most likely lose Naruto's friendship in order to console his sister. He put his hands into his pockets. Feeling a piece of paper in one of them, he took it out. A smile appeared on his face as he took in Neji's handwriting. Temari shuddered at her brother's sudden change of emotions. She stayed silent the rest of the way home.
-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-
"So Sasuke caught Temari and Naruto making out in the kitchen?" Kurama asked. Shukaku nodded. "That's not good."
"He loves Naruto," Shukaku said. "Doesn't he?"
"I believe so," Kurama said. She sighed. "If only he'd just tell Naruto how he feels."
"I think Naruto loves Sasuke," Shukaku said. Kurama's eyes widened at that. "I'm not sure how to explain it. I know he loves him like he's family, but there is something more to it. He loves us and Kohaku, but that love is different from his love for Sasuke. I think the only reason he doesn't explore that feeling more, is because he feels like he owes Sasuke."
"He doesn't owe Sasuke anything," Kurama said. "If anything, Sasuke owes Naruto for helping him get over what happened with Mizori. He's also helped raised Kohaku. Without him, Kohaku may have died in Sound."
"He'd argue that Sasuke saved him from Sound and Orochimaru," Shukaku said.
"Still, I think they would make a good couple."
"Even if they're both men?"
"Love is love. Gender, age… none of that matters."
Shukaku smiled. "I agree."