Chapter 8

His plan had been set back. The fact that it was Temari's doing only added salt to the wound. She was his tool. She was paid to do what he told her to do. Her job was to deliver the results he expected- and she failed. If it had been anyone else, she would have found herself out of a job- or worse. But Temari had proven to be infinitely useful.

They were siblings in blood only, really. They hadn't grown up together. After Gaara was born, his mother had fallen dreadfully ill. For five years the illness ate away at her, until her body faded away to nothing. Their father had lost all interest in raising children after that. Temari, still enough of his daughter to be handed off delicately, was sent to a private school in Europe when she was only eight. She had never been allowed to return home, not even on vacations. After awhile she even stopped asking- the French-American couple that their father had asked to 'keep her out of trouble' were kind, and treated her well. She had been happier there.

Gaara, on the other hand, had been promptly disowned. It was often whispered by nosy maids and careless doctors that it was his birth that had been the origin of his mother's illness. His father was a powerful man, and seemed to find the idea of Gaara following in his footsteps revolting. Gaara hadn't been allowed any connection to the man- even his last name had been stripped from him. At the orphanage, he had been given the name Sabaku. It had been meant to be comforting. It hadn't been.

It had been immensely satisfying, the day he had brought his father to his knees. He was a politician of sorts, and he made his living through connections. Gaara severed them. He had approached so stealthily, and devoured his father's livelihood with barely suppressed resentment. After that, he had been almost unsure of where to go. He had lost purpose.

Then, he met Uchiha Sasuke. It was like his father had been revived. That same arrogance, that same control, that same undeniable distaste for everyone around him. Gaara had been given a new purpose in life. Only this time, this time it would be better. There was nothing personal riding on this- he could take his time, he could enjoy himself.

Temari didn't understand. When she had returned to Japan and found Gaara in her father's place, she had been both terrified and relieved. Was it better, after all, to have the devil you knew…or the devil you didn't know? Was Gaara a devil? Was her father? She didn't know. She hadn't been given a chance to know either of them. That's why she had asked Gaara for a job. She needed to know.

Was he the devil?

So, he hired her. She worked for him. It was a simple, uncomplicated relationship. Gaara had made sure of it. Temari wasn't known in Japan. Though she still had their father's last name, he was no longer a threat and there were few who even remembered he had ever had a daughter. She would be perfect to infiltrate Uchiha's business. The best part- she was smart. She knew people, she knew how to work them, distract them, and mold them. She was perfect.

Or so he thought. She had a rather unfortunate weakness- compassion. She felt sorry for people. Because of that, she had delivered Naruto Uzumaki to Sasuke Uchiha at the worst possible time. The time when Gaara could have made incredible progress.

It was a set back. In order for him to get what he wanted, he needed them apart; he needed to place a rift between them that could never be repaired. He hadn't thought it would be that hard, really. How could a man like Uchiha Sasuke have become so close to anyone in the first place? Or, for that matter, have managed to get anyone to become so close to him?

The only explanation he could find was that it was Naruto Uzumaki, not Sasuke Uchiha, who should receive credit for this miracle. The boy was either too dense to understand the kind of man Sasuke Uchiha was, or he was too innocent to accept it. Either way, the boy was going to end up shattered and broken in the end. The Uchiha couldn't deny his true nature for long- like Gaara's father, he would crack, and Naruto would be the one to suffer for it.

That left a bad taste in Gaara's mouth.

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When Naruto woke up six hours later, he was hit with two horrible sensations: shame and nausea. The first was remedied through ten minutes of miserable heaving. The second was much less easily pacified. Though he wasn't entirely sure of the details, he knew he had fucked up. He remembered the first couple of glasses of sake, and he remembered the concerned voice of Temari, then ….it got a little fuzzy…

Sasuke was in there, but whether or not Naruto had dreamed of him or if he had actually been there remained sketchy in the blond's memory. At least part of what he remembered was a dream- Sasuke would never willingly allow anyone to touch his hair. But, if Sasuke really had been the one to help him home…

Naruto moaned and sank onto the bathroom floor (his, ahem, stomach problems having sent him flying into the tiled room earlier). Sasuke had seen him like this. Sasuke had seen him…Naruto closed his eyes, tears threatening to appear in his troubled blue eyes. Why? Why did it have to be Sasuke?

And it did have to be Sasuke. It was always Sasuke. The Uchiha's gaze ran through Naruto's blood. His voice echoed through Naruto's mind. He didn't know why, or when- but somehow, he had become dependent on Sasuke for meaning, for purpose. Wincing at his own thoughts, Naruto let out a shaky, aching breath. His head still throbbed miserably, and he felt emotionally (and physically) worn. He had to get out of here, stretch his legs-anything. Too bad his legs didn't agree with his mind's restlessness. Every time he tried to stand, his legs gave out.

Which was unfortunate, because his doorbell was ringing. Gripping the bathroom counter, he dragged himself to his feet and stumbled in the direction of the door. He used the doorknob to keep himself upright, and carefully pulled open the door.

"Sakura?" Naruto said, staring at her "What are you doing here?" The pink haired woman gave him a dark look. She was in work clothes, and heels, and carrying a briefcase.

"What do you think I'm here for?" She drawled, rolling her eyes. "You were supposed to review the press release for the opening of our newest factory. Sasuke's still backed up- of course if he would stop triple checking my work he'd be on schedule- and you decide to take a sick day!" She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest before glancing back at the blond. Her frown deepened.

"Actually, you do look sick. Do you have a fever?" Her hand shot out and felt his forehead gently. Her eyes softened.

"Naruto, you're burning up. Have you called the doctor? You know she'd make a house call for you." Naruto winced.

"The last thing I need is a lecture from Tsunade-baka." Naruto groaned, and immediately regretted his words.

"Why would she lecture you for getting sick? Unless you…" Sakura's bright eyes narrowed. "Oh, Naruto. You didn't." The blond winced, and looked down at his feet. The pink haired girl let out a sigh of disappointment. Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes.

"I…I'm sorry Sakura. I didn't mean to…"

"Naruto! You've been doing so well! I don't understand! Did something happen?" Naruto winced. Her concern made him feel even lower. He was scum, he was filth, and he didn't deserve friends who cared so much.

"It doesn't matter. I was being weak. I knew you were counting on me, and I just…let it go." Naruto responded bitterly. Suddenly, Sakura's hand was jerking his face up to meet hers.

"Now you listen to me. You are a good, kindhearted and loving person, Naruto. Don't sit there and tell me that you just up and threw aside your life like this on a whim. Tell me what happened." Her tone was undeniable, and Naruto began to cry. Her arms wrapped around him, and she gently ran her fingers through her hair, murmuring encouragement.

If Naruto ever imagined what his mother was like- and he did- Sakura would have been his greatest inspiration. He clung to her desperately as the confusion and hurt from earlier that morning flashed through his body. The sickening effect of the alcohol still had a nasty hold on his brain, and as he cried his head pounded mercilessly.

"Sasuke! Sasuke!" He gasped, gripping her arms. Sakura couldn't help but hold the boy closer. His voice was so soft and desperate.

The young woman had long ago stopped doubting her intuition. When she had begun to sense a change between the two friends, she had tried to doubt it. She herself had had a bit (if bit meant saving every report he ever touched and laminating them) of a crush on the dark Uchiha at the time. But as time wore on, she couldn't keep denying it. Not only did she grow to accept it, but she began steadfastly dedicated to the two men. Because, more than anything, Naruto longed for Sasuke's acceptance- and Sasuke, he needed Naruto's affection. These feelings changed, and grew, and deepened, to the point were if they were shattered, all that would be left would be two broken, desperate men. Sakura couldn't stand that thought.

"I just….He doesn't…." Naruto choked out, clinging to the girl pleadingly. "I just…Why won't he understand? Why doesn't he trust me?" Sakura brushed her fingers through her friend's hair.

"He does. He trusts you more than anyone." She murmured tenderly. "He's just afraid."

"Of what? He's not afraid of anything!" Sakura pulled back, and inspected her friends face. His eyes were bloodshot and his cheeks were flushed. She smiled. She couldn't tell him what Sasuke was really afraid of- but a hint couldn't hurt.

"That there's something else waiting for you." Naruto's eyes flickered with confusion.

"Like what? What else is there? I have everything I want." Sakura's smile warmed a little. Not everything.

"You'll understand soon, I think." At these words, Naruto's nose wrinkled.

"Is that the new way mom's say When you're older?" He grumbled, his bad mood fading into a gentle feeling of discomfort and faith.

Sometimes he thought the world would fall apart without Sakura.

The pink haired girl rolled her eyes and slapped him playfully.

"Shut up, dobe, and initial here." She retorted and shoved paperwork in his face.

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An hour or so later, the young business woman finally reappeared in the city streets. As Sakura tucked the papers back into her briefcase, she felt a shudder travel up her spine. Her head shot up, and her gentle green eyes met viciously cold ones. At first, she felt her knees give a little. The air seemed to vibrate with the cold being emitted from the man watching her from a few feet away. Then, the image of Naruto's red-rimmed eyes flashed in her memory, and she felt her jaw tighten with resentment.

"You don't belong here." Gaara's cold eyes lifted, and he stared at the pink haired woman. That was the only sign he showed of hearing her. Sakura felt a surge of panic as the realization hit her that he was here, really here. All it would take was one elevator and he would be at Naruto's door. He could do so much damage, now, if he went up there…

"Go away." Her voice was a hiss, and her eyes flashed with protective defiance.

"No." Gaara responded, his voice never changing pitch. His eyes weighed her with disinterest. The young woman seethed.

"He doesn't want you. All he can talk about is Sasuke." Gaara's lips lifted slightly, into a light snarl. "You don't have a chance."

"Then why are you angry?" Gaara pushed off the wall and calmly walked around her, entering the blond's building without giving Sakura a second glance. The young businesswoman felt her face fall, and she buried her face in her hands.

This was something she couldn't protect them from. No matter how much she wanted to.

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Naruto had been put under strict instructions to drink only tea, eat only crackers or bread, take two aspirin, sleep, and drag his ass back into the office the next morning on time and ready to work. Because he had a lot to catch up on, Sakura had made sure of that. He planned on following her instructions immediately, and had just finished preparing tea and choking down pills (just because he could swallow ramen whole didn't mean shoving bitter, unfairly large pills down his throat was easy) when the doorbell rang. Naruto frowned. Had Sakura forgotten something? Racing to answer the door, he failed to notice he wasn't wearing a shirt. After his rather unpleasant rendezvous with the toilet, he had had to loose his sweat-soaked, soiled shirt and had yet to replace it.

Which he became uncomfortably aware of when he opened the door and found himself under the steady gaze of one Gaara Sabaku . Naruto swallowed hard, and felt his face catch on fire. Oh dear.

"G-Gaara-san! What are you doing here!?" The red head didn't respond immediately, coolly running his eyes up and down Naruto's tan chest. The blond's head thudded and his earlier dizziness returned with a vengeance. When those icy eyes finally rose to meet his again, he was gripping the door for support.

"Uzumaki-san." Gaara murmured absently. That was his way of greeting people, Naruto assumed.

"I-I'm surprised to see you. I didn't know you knew where I…how do you know where I live?" Naruto asked, looking adorably confused, with his face still red like that. Gaara tilted his head, and gave the other man a thoughtful look.

"It's only fair. You know where I live." He answered mildly.

"W-What?" Naruto stammered "No I don't!" Gaara's mouth twitched a little as if to smirk, but locked quickly back into a casual frown.

"It was in your report." Naruto stared. "…That I saw." Naruto swallowed hard. "…The other day." Shit. Shitshitshitshitshitshitshit.

"Y-you saw that, huh?" Naruto responded sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. Gaara's eyebrows (if he had had any) shot up, and he watched the blond with mild amusement in his eyes. If Naruto hadn't been completely horrified he would have been pleased. That was the first solid sign of any emotion he'd seen in the other's eyes. Naruto blushed. God, why was he always blushing these days?

"Uh…truce?" Naruto asked shyly, his smile edged with a strange mix of pleading and playfulness. Gaara's face, now back to an emotionless blank, tilted and his eyes scanned the room behind Naruto's lean frame.

"Invite me in." Blue eyes flickered with hesitance. His argument with Sasuke earlier had not been forgotten, and Naruto could just imagine what the Uchiha would say if he found out Gaara had come over to his house.

"Uh…I don't know if that's wise…See, I have this…uh…awful cold…That's why I'm not at…" Naruto frowned, a cute little pout forming on his face. "Hey, how come you're not at work?" Gaara's lips twisted a little, into what seemed almost like the makings of a snarl. Naruto decided to change the subject. Why was everyone so pissed off today? Moving aside with a sigh, he waved for the red-haired man to enter. Closing the door behind him, Naruto released a nervous laugh. He moved quickly around the room, grabbing a light blue tee-shirt that had been laying on sofa from two-or-so days ago (Naruto wasn't much of a house keeper), and pulled the wrinkled thing on over his head to cover his bare chest.

"Would you like some tea? I put some on just before you came." Gaara had by then walked to the center of Naruto's living room and was gazing around passively. When the blond spoke, his only response was a slight tip of his head. Naruto decided to take that as positive confirmation, and headed for the kitchen. The kitchen was separated from the main area by only a counter, so Naruto was still visible, only with his back facing Gaara.

"So you have a file on me, huh? I guess that's why you were at Ichiraku's the other day?" Naruto asked awkwardly, letting out another chuckle. Naruto didn't see it, but Gaara's eyes darkened as he spoke.

"So what else do you know about me?" Naruto called playfully, studying the teapot on the stove and adjusting the heat. For a moment there was silence, and Naruto watched the dark water in the pot thoughtfully. Suddenly, two pale arms shot out and slammed into the wall on either side of Naruto's head. The blond felt his whole body go stiff.

"Name: Uzumaki Naruto. Born October 10. Blood type B. Height 6'1. Weight 165 lbs." Naruto shivered, and Gaara's cool breath caressed his ear and neck. "Parents died right after you were born. Grew up in an orphanage just outside of Tokyo. Graduated just above the bottom of your class. Three scars…" His left hand moved, fingers hovering briefly over Naruto's abdomen. "….Here." Gaara hissed into his ear. Naruto closed his eyes, trying to ignore the sensation. Gathering up his thoughts, Naruto laughed weakly.

"Looks like you got me. I feel kinda stupid- I can't remember anything about you from the report…I kinda didn't read if very thoroughly…" More weak laughter. Naruto could hear Gaara's breathing become rougher, and suddenly the other man was pressing his chest and stomach against the shocked blond's back.

"I'm the same as you." He murmured, barely audible. Naruto shuddered as Gaara pulled away. The loss of his weight was both relieving, and awkwardly disappointing. For what seemed like eternity, they just stood there, Naruto with his stomach pressed into the stove bar, and Gaara only inches from his tense back. Then, the tea whistled. Naruto nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Oh…The tea is ready…" He mumbled, reaching to grab the pot. Gaara's hand shot out, catching his wrist. Naruto turned slightly, wide blue eyes lifting up to meet Gaara's.

"It's hot." The red head pointed out, one of his fingers finding Naruto's pulse. The blond shuddered. Hot?...Oh…right…the tea…. Laughing awkwardly, Naruto pulled free from the grip and wrapped a piece of cloth around his palm before grabbing the handle. What was it with him and tea? From now on, he was just not going to drink anything. Dehydration was more than worth the embarrassment he would avoid. His hands shook as he poured the brown liquid. Placing the cups on a tray, Naruto turned and gave Gaara a shy smile.

"Would you like to sit down?" Naruto offered, walking into the living room and sitting the tea on his coffee table. The whole apartment had been decorated in a European style- Naruto loved foreign cultures, and had always wanted to travel. That was one thing he found disappointing about his job- as a CEO of such a large company, he traveled often. Unfortunately, his time was always planned to the last second. Sight-seeing was limited to only the most obvious tourist spots, which were always required to be double, triple or quadruple checked for possible threats and cleared of civilians. Any real contact with the people was ground down and reduced to glances through shaded, bullet proof limo windows.

Eyeing the sofa with what could have been anything from distaste to apathy; Gaara slowly sank into the grey-blue cushions. Naruto hesitated for a moment, feeling more than a little awkward with the idea of Gaara Sabaku, manufacturing god of northern Japan, sitting on his couch drinking tea. Convincing himself that this was a good thing- he needed to get to know Gaara anyway- he let out a breath and sank down beside the stoic red head. Biting his lip thoughtfully, Naruto searched for something that would take his mind off this…situation.

"So, where are you staying, Sabaku-san?" Naruto asked tentatively. He wasn't always good at remembering the rules of etiquette, but he decided that this was uncomfortable enough without him accidentally offending the man. Gaara's eyes flickered up to study with tanned, attentive face of his host.

"The Iru Springs" He said lamely, what seemed to be a slight grimace on his face. Naruto ignored this sign, his face lighting up.

"Really? I stayed there once- while this apartment was being painted. It was amazing! There was this young Spanish couple on their honeymoon down the hall, and they made this amazing dish- papaya…Papalla…Paella…Yeah! That!" Naruto gushed warmly, his stomach, finally less upset after his little sake binge, rumbled at the memory. "It was incredible! Then there was the German author who was staying there to research the old Geisha stories…" Naruto faltered to a stop when he noticed the way Gaara's eyes were examining him. The pale man seemed intent on staring directly into Naruto's warm, sky-blue eyes.

"You…Enjoy that?" Gaara asked, licking his lips slightly in a way that almost made his words seem explicit. Naruto felt the bridge of his nose warm up, and knew he was starting to blush.

"What?"

"Those…people. You enjoy…being with them." Naruto's shoulders immediately relaxed, and he smiled joyously.

"Are you kidding? It was wonderful! I had Iruka-san breathing down my neck the whole time of course- he's so overprotective! - But I still loved it! There so many great stories you can hear in a place like that!" Gaara frowned.

"Like what?" Naruto couldn't help but be a little impressed- the way Gaara spoke made it sound more like a statement than a question. It erased any signs of true curiosity. It was a tactic Sasuke often used. Naruto grinned slyly to himself- he couldn't help but think Sasuke would be impressed if he knew Naruto had noticed that about him. Not that the bastard would admit it. Naruto noticed everything about Sasuke.

Or he thought he did. He still didn't understand what had happened that morning. Or what followed later.

"You know- people flowing in and out from all over. Different people every day, different languages, different cultures..." Naruto grinned wickedly. "Different food!"

"I love places like that. When I was little, I always imagined roaming the country, going from town to town, getting to know the people and the way they lived. It'd be an incredible way to live." Naruto's eyes were staring in the distance now, and there was a dreamy smile across his face. Gaara watched him, startled at the way the man's face- which looked so very young right then- seemed to glow. An uncomfortable feeling spread through the Sabaku's stomach. He ignored it.

He would not be distracted by foolishness. This was the in he needed- time to take it.

"But." Gaara added, voice cool with a slight hint of suggestion. Naruto's attention refocused and he gave Gaara a startled glance.

"What?"

"You don't live like that." Gaara commented, casting a long, strict glance at Naruto's cutely puzzled face.

"Well…no. It was kind of silly of me, anyway. I mean, you can't really live like that, can you?" He laughed weakly, a flicker of longing in his eyes. "A real life is always waiting around the corner, ready to snatch you up." Gaara mentally snarled at himself and shoved the sudden feeling of weariness out of his senses. Why on earth was he hesitating now?

"That is what would make you happy." Gaara commented, his voice cold and Naruto felt suddenly rather…pressured. His headache was threatening to resurface.

"Well…maybe…but I have a life now…responsibilities." Gaara arched a pale, nearly nonexistent brow.

"Responsibilities? You mean the Uchiha." Gaara was beginning to feel strained. This was more talking than he was used to. He wished he didn't have to be so delicate- but if he tried to push the boy, it was likely to be counterproductive.

"What? Well…Not exactly…I mean, my job is my responsibility. I have to be there."

"You're not there today." Gaara pointed out, taking a sip of tea to sooth his throat. Why did talking like this with Naruto wear him down so much? It would soon be over. He would make his point, and Naruto would finally see. Finally see that the Uchiha was a wasted effort. Finally see that he had been fooling himself into thinking that a man like that could ever be a friend to anyone. Finally see how…

How pathetic…

How pathetic he was to have…

Believed in someone…

"Well…I mean, one day can't hurt. I just…didn't feel up to it, you know." Gaara pursed his lips. He could see Naruto's thoughts turning already. His thoughts were so clearly mirrored in his eyes that he might as well have been shouting them. Is it just today? Maybe not. Maybe it's been a long time since I….

"Do you drink often?" Naruto froze, his hand dangled in mid-air, preparing to pour himself more tea. His throat grew tight, and his heart pounded in his ears.

"W-What?" His eyes seemed to go dreadfully blank, and his lips were parted in a silent, desperate gasp. Gaara, whose hands had been resting lifelessly in his lap up until then, reached out and jerked the golden-haired boy's shoulders, forcing him to face him.

"You got drunk today." Gaara's voice was so cold. So very, very cold. It washed over Naruto, making the boy feel bare and empty.

"How? How did you…"

"My sources are better than yours." Gaara murmured icily, his fierce gaze never lifting from Naruto's stricken face. The blond couldn't suppress the smallest whimper.

His first thought was of Sasuke. How furious would the dark haired male be if he discovered that Gaara knew of Naruto's dirty little secret? How would the Uchiha handle the knowledge that a weakness of his company had been bared out before a potential enemy because Naruto was careless?

The thought that Sasuke would hate him wasn't the most terrifying. The idea that Sasuke would be disgusted with him…

Respect was such a hard thing to earn from the Uchiha, but to earn it back? Impossible.

"Why do you stay?" Naruto jumped. For a brief moment he had forgotten that Gaara was still there, staring at him with those damn, burning eyes. "If you're so unhappy?"

"What?" Naruto rasped, leaning forward instinctively as if to hear him better. One of Gaara's hands, which had been on his shoulder, rose, gripping the back of Naruto's hair roughly.

"You gain nothing from it. Staying is futile." Naruto's eyes widened.

"No! No, I'm not…I don't…I'm happy…I am…"

"Happy people don't drink themselves to sickness." Gaara murmured, running his tongue across his dry lips and gazing at Naruto knowingly. Naruto's hand rose and he gripped his chest pathetically, a dull pain spreading from his heart to the back of his throat.

"He makes you unhappy, that Uchiha." Gaara's whispered, his voice coming out as a strange mix of a growl and something akin to a purr. It ached with understanding, dread, and smugness. Naruto realized he was glimpsing something amazing here- the real Gaara Sabaku was slipping free, with the whole intent of bringing the little blond's world out from under him.

Gaara moved closer, and Naruto pressed himself as far against the other end of the couch as he could. The red headed man reached up, and Naruto winced as if he was going to strike him. Instead, cool, pale fingers brushed his cheeks and his thumb brushed the corner of Naruto's eye. Pulling back, Naruto's eyes widened. Tears had dampened his slender finger.

"He makes you cry." Slowly, Gaara brought his thumb up to his mouth and his tongue flicked out, lapping up the salty moisture. Naruto let out a strangled whimper.

"No…" But Gaara's eyes were burning into his skull, and Naruto couldn't stop the tears. No…he wasn't right, was he? Sasuke was a bastard, but…

But…

He doesn't make me unhappy…

"Men like the Uchiha…He's getting stronger, and soon he won't have time for others."

Others? He won't have time…

I'm one of them. To Sasuke, I'm an 'other'. That's what he said today….I think…This morning…God, my head hurts so badly!

"You put aside your dream for him. Not anymore." Naruto shuddered as he found Gaara's mouth nearly touching his neck.

"I can give you that dream." Naruto closed his eyes, the fuzzy, spinning feeling returning with a vengeance as Gaara's unnaturally cold breath bit into his skin.

"Before he turns on you."

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Author's note:

I know! I know! I am a horrible person who takes too long to update, and I should be beaten and horsewhipped, and tied to a bed post and…

Hmm…

This is beginning to sound less and less like 'punishment'….

Oh well. To make it up to you, I made this chapter mega-long. I'm freaking exhausted. It's one in the morning.

Does anyone remember sleep? I used to sleep.

I'm about to rant now, so if you're a member of the anti-rant brigade, please stop reading now.

You wanna know what the definition of cruel and unsual punishement is? A test based on seven chapters, each chapter 25-30 pages long and almost entirely text (with the occasional graphic) that is set up as all fill-in-the-black and ALL direct quotes out of the book. No word bank.

That's what I have to look forward too. Please kill me. Or, kill my professor and I'll update faster, ne:3

Just kidding…I guess…

Also, I would like to recommend some new reading materials for ya'll!

It's all in your Head by Evening Rain-possibly one of the cutest/sexiest non-Au fics I've ever read. And Gaara finally made an appearance!!! YEAH!!!

Cracks in the Sidewalk by 1957- It's just…wow. I mean, angsty as heck, but GOD I wish I could write like that! Besides, at least one of my favorite songs/artists/bands gets mentioned in each chapter, so LUV IT!!!

This way to the stars by GodofContradiction- Gaara, Neji, and Sasuke all attracted to the most adorable, but mistreated blondie on the planet? Au and loving it.

Bad Guys Playground by x-x Temptation x-x- Smut, smut, Sasuke kicking ass, more smut, touching scenes between the best of the Naruto crew.

Won't Let You Go by Ahja Reyn- The fact that she's a faithful reviewer may have guided me to the story, but the humor, adorablenessisity (Don't bother getting out a dictionary, I'll tell you right now that's NOT a real word and I'm okay with it) and repressed sexual tension in the story kept me going. Little hearts for all.

Talk to me by Rasengan22- Adorably adorable (Like I said, it's one in the morning. I can only be so clever, and I try to reserve that for my actually story…). Naruto is SO FREAKING YUMMY.

M'kay, that's all I gotta say. Good-night.

AthenaAlpha, the apologetic