Chapter 5

Ichiraku's was hardly the place anyone expected to see a multi-billionaire. The quaint, family owned shop had a small but loyal cliental, an adequate but not spectacular menu, and only one busboy. Naruto was there constantly. The staff had learned quickly that when Naruto said 'keep the ramen coming' he wasn't joking. Bowl after bowl of the slightly cheap, run-of-the-mill food would be downed by the young man in one evening. The other customers found if vaguely disturbing. The staff, horrendously amusing.

"Naruto. You're going to choke." The blond glanced over his bowl at the older man across the table. This man was the only sign of Naruto's wealth that was ever shown when he went to Ichiraku's. Iruka had been working as Naruto's bodyguard for the last two years- since the press meeting when a crazed man claiming Sasuke and Naruto were 'corporate demons' had hauled off and shot at them. The bullet had hit Naruto in the abdomen. He now had three swirl-shaped scars on his stomach that marked were the doctors had had to cut him open to retrieve the bullet. Apparently the damn thing had hit a bone and shattered, three pieces floating apart.

At the time, it had sucked like hell. Now, it made an awesome story. He liked to tell it to the hot waitresses that the manager of Ichiraku's, Jiraiya, kept hiring.

"I haven't choked yet." Naruto retorted, and shoveled another helping of ramen into his mouth. Iruka sighed, and the waitress came with another bowl. Suddenly, Iruka felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and he turned, hand reaching towards his hip, where his gun waited. But, upon turning, he went limp, his mouth falling open.

"Naruto." Iruka hissed urgently. The blond boy didn't bother to stop eating; he just returned an absent minded murmur through bites. "Isn't that…." Iruka fell silent. After a few moments, Naruto put down his bowl and stared at him.
"Isn't that what?" That was when the shadow fell over their table. Glancing up, Naruto felt his eyes widen.

"Gaara-san!" He exclaimed, recovering much quicker than he had that morning. "I didn't know you ate here!" Iruka tried not to gape at him. Was Naruto really that dense?

Gaara, on the other hand, didn't seem to notice the blond's foolishness. He cast his cold, blank gaze over to Iruka who quickly decided this was none of his business.

"I'm gonna go get some tea." He told Naruto quickly, getting to his feet. Normally, he would have stayed anyway, but he doubted Gaara had any ill-will in mind. After all, he and Naruto were going to be partners soon.

But then…Iruka didn't like the way he was looking at the young blond…

"So…Gaara-san…Would you like to sit?" Naruto offered, glancing over in the direction that Iruka had just taken, before turning to smile warmly at the silent red head.

"Very well." Despite his reluctant choice of words, the red head's tone didn't seem to suggest dislike. Naruto tried to keep from frowning. It reminded him vaguely of Sasuke. Yeesh, why couldn't people just say what the hell was on their minds? He hated not knowing what people were thinking.

He's just like Sasuke. But at least I've learned to read Sasuke a little. This guys a blank. Naruto thought, watching as Gaara lowered himself into the chair where Iruka had previously been sitting. Suddenly, a warm thought spread through Naruto's head. So, I'll just have to learn to read Gaara!

"Do you want anything? The waitress is coming back." Naruto offered, happily reaching for another bowl of ramen. Gaara eyed the waitress with a hint of distaste.

"Tea." He said voice hesitant. Naruto beamed at him. He couldn't help it- Ichiraku's always put him in a good mood. For a long stretch of time, neither one of them said anything. Naruto took up eating again (although tried his best to not shovel it into his mouth like he was earlier) and Gaara took up watching him.

"The meeting went…well." Gaara commented his voice slow and reserved. It occurred to Naruto that he wasn't very good at small talk.

Luckily, Naruto was a master of it.

"It went great! Wasn't Sakura-chan's presentation fantastic? She's amazing!" Naruto gushed. When it came to his associates, he was never lacking a good word. He adored them all.

But then, Naruto was like that. He loved everyone. He was like a puppy- all you had to do was look at him and he was your friend for life.

"…and Ino! Ino's so smart! This one time, we were having trouble with this television company- they kept cutting our ads time slots by a three seconds, so Ino…" Gaara gave Naruto a hard stare, and Naruto's voice stuttered to a halt. It occurred to him that telling someone they were negotiating with the secrets of his company wasn't the best idea. He felt his face heat up, and let out a nervous laugh.

Gaara's eyes flickered over Naruto's face, and the blond suddenly felt his nervousness double. He was blushing.

Just like before.

Just like when…

"Our tea is getting cold." Gaara stated his voice low, but with that same cool, uncaring tone. But…

Was it Naruto's imagination, or was the red head staring at his mouth? Trying not to blush any harder, Naruto grabbed his tea quickly to take a drink.

And promptly spilled it down the front of his shirt.

Naruto tried not to groan. Great. Just perfect. Because he didn't already think I was an idiot. Unable to restrict another nervous laugh, Naruto reached for some napkins in the middle of the table, and began to clumsily try to rub the tea out. Of course, all he succeeded in doing was scrub the stain in.

Suddenly, Gaara stood, and took a napkin into his own pale fingers. Naruto blinked, and looked up at him. His icy green eyes made Naruto swallow hard. God, what was that? How did he do that? It was like his eyes were paralyzing him.

Reaching out, Gaara grabbed the collar of Naruto's shirt and pulled him forward a little roughly. With his other hand, he waved a waitress over. The woman didn't even hesitate- Naruto had a feeling that very few people hesitated when Gaara gave them a command.

"Club soda." He told her coolly, still holding the front of Naruto's shirt. The woman turned around immediately, rushing to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Naruto watched with shocked fascination as Gaara used the napkin to gently soak up the excess dampness from the tea. He was standing so close to Naruto right then, his shadow falling over the startled blond. Naruto didn't even try to stop the blush that was spreading down his neck as Gaara's hands moved slowly down his shirt.

God, was the whole restaurant staring? It felt like the whole world was staring.

The waitress finally returned, after what seemed like hours. Taking the glass of club soda from her with almost professional calmness, he dipped another napkin in it and began to gently rub it into the stain across Naruto's chest.

Why is he doing this? Naruto thought, mind buzzing. Not that I mind. It kinda feels…

Naruto forced himself to shut down all thought processes after that. God, would his heart stop beating like that? It was beginning to hurt his ears. And why was he breathing so hard? It seemed like his lungs were burning.

"That will have to be washed." Naruto's mind was forced to return to proper thought and he gaped helplessly at Gaara.

"Uh…what?" The red head didn't seem the slightest bit phased by any of this. The same apathetic look was written across his face, and his eyes were still unnaturally blank. Naruto let out a staggered breath. Well, there was something, had Gaara's eyes just flashed?

"Your shirt. Wash it. Use cold water." His mouth still hanging slightly open, Naruto nodded.

"Yeah. Okay." With that, Gaara straightened and dropped the napkins onto the table.

"It's been a pleasure, Uzumaki-san." He murmured, and turned to leave. Naruto felt himself snap out of whatever the hell daze he was in.

"Uh…It was nice seeing you!" He cried, getting hastily to his feet. "See you soon!" He waved enthusiastically, a smile creeping back into his face. Gaara wasn't a bad guy. Personal space issues, maybe, and that creepy robot thing had to go, but…

Naruto blushed again faintly.

He seemed like a pretty nice guy. And he smelled good, too….

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(Covers mouth to suppress laughter) Gaara knows how to do laundry. PFTH….(Miserably failing at controlling myself)

Mmmm….Does club soda really get tea out? I've just heard people say to use it on stains….If it doesn't work, just chalk this chapter up to the magic of Anime! It can do anything!

I actually finished this chapter on Friday, but I went home for the weekend (I live on campus) and I don't have access to internet there (My parents didn't pay their bill. wonder what silly, frivolous thing they are spending all their money on? Oh, right…my education. :P)

I promise there will be longer chapters soon, but right now I'm trying to develop the plot. Once the plot is settled, I can start adding more in depth chapters that lead you deeper into the twisted recesses of my mind….uh…I mean…Stay in school! Don't smoke! The only safe sex is no sex! Smut is better with boys!

Wait…no…strike that last one! (Smiling innocently)

I'm a good girl.

(More uncontrollable laughter).

No, but seriously, I have the next chapter half written, and It's already longer than this one. But I kind of meant for this chapter to be short and sweet- I want the effect to be felt.

Gaara is so cute in this chapter.

So is Naruto.

SO CUTE!!!

Ahja Reyn is reading my mind. (Looks over shoulder nervously).

GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!

For your own safety. Really- there are some creepy things in there. Even I don't hang out there often.

More Shout outs!!!

For some seriously angsty romance, try "Dotless Dice" by VanityWantsYou

Or, for something more lighthearted, try "Stalker" by Beyondthismorning. It's really cute 

(I give you these so you're distracted while I write new chapters! Ha! Evil scheme!)

Also, I give a shout out to Pink's new CD I'm Not Dead.

"I might have no where left to go,

But I know that I can not go home.

these voices trapped inside my head,

Tell me to run before I'm dead.

Chase the rainbows in my mind,

And I will try to stay alive."

-Runaway, by Pink

Wow. I should pay for all this advertising. I could make a fortune. I can't help it- I love what I love, and I feel the unbearable urge to force my will unto others…Er…I mean…offer friendly suggestions. (Looks around innocently) You can't prove anything!

Sincerely,

Supreme Ruler of the Universe

(request pending)