Gaara woke up to something that he thought he would never see...There by his bed side was Madara sleeping next to him in the chair that was there. The Tengu must have been exhausted to even let himself sleep...Which meant that he had been there, watching over him for a long time.

He wanted to move, to get used to the feeling of moving again, but the pain and aching in his body only let him sit up. So he contentedly watched Madara, quietly wishing that this moment would last forever.

"Gaara..." Madara whispered in his sleep.

Gaara looked at the Tengue, shocked that he said his name, let alone anything in his made him smile slightly, knowing that the man he loved was thinking of him, even in his lightly reached out to comb his fingers through the Uchiha's hair, noting the silkiness of it. Madara leaned into the caress, sighing contently, but surprisingly not waking...at least that was what Gaara thought. Madara however had woken up right when Gaara started reaching for him, one of his instincts kicking when he realized that it was Gaara touching him, he instantly relaxed, letting the young Demon god run his slim fingers through his hair. He was glad to know that he was okay and awake finally. He must have been injured far worse than he thought if he was out for the time that he was.

Madara grabbed Gaara's hand, holding it tightly. The young demon's hand stiffened slightly, but relaxed once he realized that Madara was awake.

"Good morning." Gaara greeted the tired Tengu, smiling when said Tengu gripped his hand tighter and moaned at the mention of it being morning.

"I'm glad to see that you're awake." Madara said, straightening his position, groaning when a few tight joints popped when he moved. He looked at Gaara then, noticing the color was coming back in his face. The wounds on his forehead and his neck where almost gone as well, just slightly red and irritated.

Madara still held onto Gaara's hand even though he was fully awake now.

"I would like to ask a favor from you Madara..." The redhead asked, slightly pained that he had to even ask him for something.

"Whatever it is I will gladly do it." Madara immediately responded without a second thought. His eyes shown with the same warm adoration that they did for when he was younger.

"Would you walk with me?" Gaara asked,knowing that if he tried on his own he'd end up possibly hurting himself. Plus he liked Madara's company.

"Of course."

Gaara began to move, wanting to go right then and there. He hissed slightly as his muscles complained with every contraction and stretch. He carefully swung his legs over the side of the medical bed, feeling them stiffen and loosen, waking up to do their job.

"Don't push yourself..." Madara wanted him to do the best he could but when you haven't moved in over three weeks, it was really taxing on the body.

Gaara nodded before just sitting there with his feet on the floor. He moved his toes, making sure that he still had movement. After a moment he started swinging his legs, and eventually started to try and get some body weights on them. He struggled, wobbling slightly, but was able to stand for a little moment before crumpling on the bed. Madara wanted to make sure that he was okay, and help him get to his feet...But he knew that, that would end up hurting the young Demon God instead of helping him.

"I'm sorry you have to see this..." Gaara said, knowing how week he seemed right then. "My father would kill me if he ever knew that one of his children was this week..." He added, trying to stand again, but as like the first time he began to fall again. He prepared himself to feel the crumpled sheets of his bed, but instead hit into something hard yet soft and warm at the same time.

He looked up, slightly confused, but smiled when he saw Madara's face. Madara had caught him, enveloping him in warmth and sturdy support.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of...And your father was a fool for not showing you the proper love that you 's a miracle that you survived that long with the injuries that you had...And I am grateful...So very grateful that you did live.I don't know what I would have done seeing you die again..." He said, hugging him tightly, but with the same gentleness in consideration for his injuries. "I thought that you were dead when the Fire god fell...I wasn't the same when I heard the there were no survivors." He added, running his hands through Gaara's slightly longer red locks, remembering the softness.

"And then to suddenly to hear the you had survived!..and almost to the point of dying...I almost lost my self." His voice shook slightly. Gaara didn't realize just how important he was to Madara. Sure he was nice to him when he was younger, but he thought that was just out of pity, just like how everyone else pitied seeing him like this...how this powerful Tengu lord was so shaken by the fact that he might have died, made him see him in a whole new light.

"Thank you Madara..." He said, hugging the man back, breathing in the Tengu's sent with a happy sigh. He had nearly forgotten what the man smelt like, but smelling the earthy tones and the smell of rain water on him reassured him that this was real...that he was safe, and in the arms of someone he cared for deeply.

"So promise me that you will take your time,and heal...I'm not strong enough to see something tragic happen to you once again."

"Yes."

The two shared each other's embrace, gently rocking each other in comfort and warmth. Gaara hadn't felt this safe and content since the first time Madara had comforted him when he was a snuggled more into Madara's chest,not wanting to leave the man's arms.

Madara smiled when he felt Gaara lay his head on his chest,sighing contently. He cupped the back of the young Demon God's head, massaging it slightly while tightening his hold on his lower back. "I won't let anything else happen to...not ever again." He whispered into Gaara's ear, shocked to see slight blush forming on his cheeks. In all his years being around Gaara he never saw him smile as much and even blush like he was doing right then.

Gaara leaned back from Madara slightly, still in the man's arms but far enough that he could see the Tengu's face.

"Madara...Why do you care?..Don't get me wrong, I'm happy...But you are the only Demon that has shown any sort of affection towards me..." He asked, hopping the there was more to Madara's feelings then just pity and slight affection.

Madara was taken aback slightly, thinking that he had already expressed what he was feeling. But seeing the confusion in Gaara's eyes he understood that Gaara needed to needed to know that he loved him more than anyone he has ever loved before.

"Gaara." He sighed his name, cupping his face. "It's because I love you..." He finally said. "I love you not as a little brother figure, or as friendly love...I love you more than anyone in this world, more than myself. I want to spend the rest of my long life with you by my side...I want to do things to you that only the night knows of..." He admitted, loving the way the young Demon's face lit up in a brilliant pink flush. Gaara not soon after,laid his face on Madara's chest again, not wanting the Tengu to see his face.

"Gaara?" he chuckled, trying to pry him from his chest so that he could see his face.

"M-My face feels like it's on fire...I think it might be burning off...I don't want you to see." He quietly admitted. Madara tightened his embrace, chuckling slightly. "But I am happy...I never thought that I would hear those words..." He said,gripping Madara's kimono slightly harder than he intended. "I love you too." He finally got enough courage to say it, his face felt even hotter than it did before. Why was he being so shy?! He was a Demon God! He should act like one and face Madara head on!

After a moment, Gaara lifted his head, wanting to see Madara's face. His eyes widened in shock when he saw slight tears stream down the man's face.

"Gaara..." He whispered his name. With that a new fire lit inside him, he felt hot all over, and with every touch and light caress it grew. Madara lifted his chin up so that their eyes met. There was so much emotion in his red eyes. He leaned in closer, tilting Gaara's chin slightly. Gaara fluttered his eyes closed, knowing and wanting what was to come.

Their kiss was gentle and sweet, soft flesh against soft exploded throughout Gaara, making his knees week, If it weren't for Madara's arm on his lower back he was sure he would have fallen to his knees. Madara licked Gaara's lips, wanting entrance. Once he felt the Demon's soft lips part and begin to open, he lightly ventured in, wanting to taste him.

Just as he imagined the Young Demon tasted like some exotic spice that wasn't too strong, but so memorable. He deepened the kiss, loving how Gaara moaned slightly in great appreciation of the act.

Gaara couldn't concentrate, there were too many emotions and feelings that he was experiencing all at once that he had never experienced before. And the sounds he was making where so embarrassing! So as to not make Madara think that he was week and strange, he started to take a little initiative, moving his arms so that they wrapped around the Tengu's neck, reaching into the silky black tresses, loving the cold silky touch. He met with equal fierceness of Madara's kiss, tangling his tongue with Madara's.

Madara's hands wandered up and down Gaara's back, feeling every inch. He noticed how thin the Demon had gotten, he could feel the muscle there but there was barely enough to cover the bone. But his thoughts and hands were interrupted when he felt his bottom lip get nipped and pulled by Gaara's teeth. The young demon could tell that he was distracted, and so intensified the kiss even further. Not wanting to be outdone, Madara slowly ventured further down, slowly caressing and massaging Gaara's ass. Gaara jumped a little at the unexpected pleasure that came from the caress. It was getting harder and harder to concentrate now, and Madara's tongue wasn't helping.

"Gaara..." Madara breathlessly gasped the young Demon's name when they stopped their kiss momentarily. Gaara leaned in, taking in Madara's ear lobe and gave it a little nip before sucking it lightly. He smiled inwardly when he heard Madara's breath quicken and he gasped.

"If you continue to tease me...I don't think I'll be able to stop myself." Madara warned, smirking at Gaara.

"And what if I don't want you to stop?"

"Gaara...I can't." he caressed his cheek once more. "I know you are strong and will probably insist that you are fine, but you are still injured." He said, wanting Gaara to understand. "And I want your body to be able to handle what I want to do with it before we go any further." He added on when he saw the hurt in Gaara's eyes.

That made him blush and smack his arm playfully. "Madara!"

"There's that smile." Madara said chuckling and smiling himself.

"You too need a moment?" There was another voice in the doorway, startling Gaara but Madara had sensed the presence earlier.

"No Kakashi, That has passed..." Madara said, turning with Gaara still in his arms.

"Just saying..." Kakashi cleared his throat. "It's a pleasure to meet you Gaara-San. I'm Kakashi...I was with Naruto, The Fox demon that saved you." He introduced himself.

"Where is this Naruto? I would very much like to thank him for saving my life..." Gaara said facing Kakashi with Madara's help for balance.

"I'm afraid he's away on a mission at the moment..He's heading to the east to find the person responsible for attacking you." Kakashi said.

Gaara shuddered, his face turned pale with the news.

"Call him Back! He can't go after that man!" Gaara yelled, worried for Naruto. "You have now Idea the extent of that man's power...he has many followers and has absorbed many demon powers...At this point he's reached a level pass a Demon god...He's a monster..." Gaara shuddered, remembering things from when he was captured.

"Don't worry your highness...Naruto knows who he's going 's got a personal score to settle with this man as well. You and him are not that different really. But I've known Naruto for a long time and he won't do anything foolish. He'll return." Kakashi said, only slightly believing what he said.

It was true that when it came to some battles that Naruto chose them carefully and made sure to fight them only when needed. But when it came to Danzo he didn't know how Naruto was going to react...but he was sure that it wasn't going to be good.

"I hope you're right." Gaara said, resting slightly against Madara.

"I'll leave you then, please continue to get well your highness." Kakashi said, bowing before turning to leave.

"Kakashi..." Madara called to the white wolf demon. "My Nephew is looking for you...It's best to not avoid him." Madara warned, knowing how persistent the little shit head could be. Kakashi's eyes looked sad when Madara mentioned Sasuke, but turned back to their normal passiveness.

"I'll keep that in mind." He said before actually leaving.

Once Kakashi had left Gaara turned back to Madara smiling slightly.

"I think I should rest for the night..." Gaara said, hoping that Madara would stay with him again, but didn't want to make the Tengu sleep in such an uncomfortable position again.

Madara smiled before picking up Gaara, startling the young Demon God greatly.

"M-Madara?!" He cried out uncharacteristically.

"You are staying with me now, I think you're well enough to do that." Madara said, carrying him off to his chambers. Gaara didn't argue, but didn't like how almost every Tengue they passed stared at how Madara was carrying him like some new bride or something. But secretly it made him happy that Madara was making a show that Gaara was his. He snuggled into Madara's embrace, feeling the warmth there and letting him continue to carry him.

Kakashi continued to make his rounds around the Tengue estate, noticing that Madara was moving Gaara to his chambers. It was probably the safest place to be, but it made slightly mad and jealous that Madara go to make a move on the person he had loved for so long...and that it was something that could work.

He stopped walking for a moment, realizing that he was letting his feelings get in the way of his work. 'Cool it...' He tried to tell himself, knowing that he couldn't ever be with the person that he cared so deeply about. The fact that he was a lowly wandering demon was one reason...but the main reason was that whenever he showed interest in someone...or even tried getting close to someone for a while, they ended up getting gravely wounded and sometimes were even killed...and this couldn't happen this time...Not to Sasuke.

'Shit...' Kakashi cursed himself, once he started thinking about Sasuke he couldn't stop, the young Tengu kept popping up in his thoughts and was truly being unkind this time with his love...and Sasuke wasn't making it any easier, with the knowledge that the young Tengu lord had mutual feelings for him was killing him inside. Being near the person who occupied your entire being and not being able to express such desires and passion of love was despicably unkind.

Just then there was a noise in the distance, startling Kakashi slightly. He'd been so focused on Sasuke that he had forgotten that he was on guard. His wolf ears honed in on the sound, and once he pinpointed it, he slowly made his way to where it was, ready for anything. After one last listening check he jumped out onto what was making the noise, startled by what he found. It was just a family of critters that were instantly scared off into the bushes once Kakashi jumped out. He sighed, realizing that he probably should head back to the main estate. There was another noise behind him, but before he could do anything about it he was already pinned to the forest floor with whoever it was on top of him. He struggled hard to get the disadvantage.

"Stop." The person commanded.

Kakashi immediately stopped realizing who it was instantly.

"Get off me Sasuke." He demanded, of all the people to run into...Fate truly was testing him.

"No...you've been avoiding me for far too long Kakashi..." He said, letting Kakashi roll over so that he was straddling his waist instead of his back.

"Why?" Sasuke finally asked, looking Kakashi dead in the eye.

Kakashi sighed, not wanting to do this right now...He couldn't.

"I can't be bothered with you right now." He finally said, regretting what he said instantly,but he needed to focus on his task at hand and he was doing this to protect Sasuke. "I need to get back to the estate and protect his highness until Naruto arrives." He said.

"And when he comes back? What will you do then?" He asked, the hurt visible on his young face. It wasn't easy being told that you were a burden by the person you love.

"I will leave." Kakashi said, knowing that if he stayed here any longer he knew he would end up hurting Sasuke further.

"Just like that...You'll leave again?!" He yelled this time, frustrated that nothing was going the way that he wanted. He just wanted to be with him, even if it was just once or if it was just Kakashi saying that he did have feelings for him..That would be enough...but not having anything like that was slowly killing him inside.

"Yes...There will be no reason for me to stay after that."

Sasuke looked like he had been hit, he gritted his teeth in rage and pain.

"WHAT ABOUT ME?! Am I not a reason for you to stay?!" Sasuke finally yelled out, tears forming at the corner of his eyes. He could feel a sharp pain in his chest, squeezing at his looked down at Kakashi, who's face was unchanging and unsympathetic.

"No." Kakashi said, watching as Sasuke leaned back. He saw the tears fall finally and did nothing...He wouldn't do anything...This was for the best.

Suddenly he was pulled up, his lips crashing onto Sasuke's. Sasuke kissed him hard and passionately, startling Kakashi slightly.

'Good God...' Kakashi thought. Sasuke's kiss was more intense and heated than the one he imagined it would be like. He almost pulled Sasuke into a deeper kiss when Sasuke suddenly stopped, breaking their kiss, dragging his teeth across kakashi's bottom lip.

"Coward." He breathed out silently before jumping up silently to look down at Kakashi. His eyes shown with heartbreak and hurt. He knew that Kakashi loved him...and he knew that Kakashi knew his feelings for him as well...and to hear that it didn't matter and that he wasn't enough hurt him greatly. His eyes hardened then, they didn't shine like they did a while ago...the life in them retreating. There was damage there that couldn't be undone and Kakashi saw it. Sasuke jumped up and flew off in blinding speeds before Kakashi could say anything more to hurt him. Not caring where he went but it needed to be somewhere where he couldn't sense Kakashi...which meant that it had to be far away and isolated.

Kakashi sighed when Sasuke flew off. He certainly dug his grave this time...Sasuke's face replayed in his mind...the look he gave made his heat ache terribly. Seeing that level of hurt and despair was too much, not to mention that the only reason why Sasuke made that face was because of him...

He sighed, getting up from being knocked to the forest floor. He headed to the main estate,determined to do his job and hurry and get out of here...after all running from his feelings and the guilt was what he was best at apparently.