Well, it took a lot longer than I thought it would to get this chapter out. But here it is! I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or its characters, even though I wouldn't mind owning the Uchiha brothers.

Chapter 3

The sun shown bright in the sky, but the trees cast the forest into shadow. The village gates loomed ahead, giving off an air of excitement. Gaara's heart was beating rapidly at the thought of what was coming closer. He glanced at Kankurou, who wore an eager expression on his face. Temari's face was concentrated on what lay ahead. They slowed to a brisk walk outside the gates and showed their identification to the guards at the front.

They had just taken their first step into the village when Kankurou jumped onto the nearest building and took off, calling back with a quick "See ya later!" to his bemused siblings. They continued on, knowing exactly where their brother was off to. Gaara gave Temari a sideways glance, hoping that she was going to leave too. He needed to find Sasuke.

"The village has changed," Gaara commented quietly.

"I know," Temari agreed. She smiled. "I can feel the excitement in the air. Everyone's anticipating the upcoming wedding."

Gaara repressed a snort. That wasn't exactly what he meant, but he didn't want to say anything more on the subject. And he also strongly doubted that everyone in the village was excited over the wedding of a person they didn't really like all that much. Temari wasn't always as knowledgeable as everyone thought, in his opinion.

As they neared a crowded street, Temari cleared her throat, causing Gaara to stop. "Um, Gaara…would you mind if I…went away and left you on your own for a while?" she asked tentatively. "I mean, I'll still be there when you go see Lady Tsunade," she added hastily.

"It's fine," Gaara replied tonelessly. "I don't need bodyguards. Do what you like."

Temari smiled. "Thanks. I'll meet you at the Hokage Tower in a few hours."

"Ok."

Gaara continued walking, determined to find Sasuke. He allowed his feet to lead him, knowing that it would help him. He felt his heart pounding against his chest, sensing the one he desired to see. He swallowed, trying to calm his mounting nerves.

Sasuke left his apartment quickly, somehow knowing that Gaara had arrived. He allowed his feet to lead him, knowing that it would help him. After several minutes, his heart began to thump loudly. He looked around and smiled reminiscently. He was at the exact location where he and Gaara first met and Gaara himself was walking closer, his eyes locked on Sasuke's.

Gaara's heart fluttered when he locked eyes with Sasuke. He stopped when they were right in front of each other, attempting to keep his face neutral. He hadn't expected to feel as enthusiastic as he did. The feeling was unlike anything that Gaara had ever felt before.

"Hi," Gaara said blankly, inwardly cursing himself for not thinking of anything to say.

"Hi," Sasuke said, his heart fluttering. While most people thought that Gaara had a monotonous voice, Sasuke felt that it was music to his ears. After spending so longer thinking and dreaming about it, the reality was breathtaking. "How are you?"

"Fine," Gaara replied. "You?"

"Fine," Sasuke said. He paused, trying to think of something else to say. "I heard that you became the Kazekage. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Gaara said, feeling the heat slowly creep up his face. "I heard about your defeat over your brother. It sounded amazing."

Sasuke felt his face flush. "Thank you." An awkward pause fell between them. He waited for his face to cool down before he spoke again. "It's been a long time since we last saw each other," he commented. "A very long time," he added.

"Too long," Gaara replied tonelessly. He took a half step forward, deciding to plunge ahead with his plans. "I haven't stopped thinking about you: the day we met, the things you've said, and the last time I saw you. I think that if I could sleep, I would dream about you."

Sasuke smirked, his heart fluttering in delight at Gaara's words. "You're more obsessed with me than I thought."

Gaara allowed a small smirk to appear on his face. "Obsession: the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, or desire. Obsession is often confused with another emotion very similar to it: love. Love: a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. Who can really tell the difference between the two, especially for someone else? A person only knows what they think and feel. They have no real knowledge of what others think and feel, unless told otherwise, but how do they know what is true and what is false? Everything is about perception, intuition, and instinct." He took another half step forward. "What do you perceive of me? What does your intuition tell you about me? What do your instincts say when it comes to me?"

Sasuke looked slightly surprised, but composed himself quickly. "That you're more obsessed with me than I thought," he repeated, smirking again.

Gaara blinked. "I'm not obsessed," he stated, disappearing in a swirl of sand. He reappeared behind Sasuke, his mouth at the other boy's ear. "I'm in love."

Sasuke whirled around at those words, his eyes wide. Gaara stared directly into his eyes, his face heating up. Sasuke felt his own face flush, but didn't care. His heart was beating so rapidly against his chest, he thought it was going to burst. Gaara's breathing sped up and he knew he was going to explode if he didn't do something soon. He reached up and ran his hand up and down the side of Sasuke's face. Almost reflexively, Sasuke ran his hand through Gaara's hair, still locking eyes with him.

"Sasuke…"

"Gaara…"

In one swift movement, the two boys pressed their lips against each other's, ignoring everything else. Sasuke's heart was racing and his face was burning, but he didn't care. All that mattered was the fact that Gaara's warm lips were softly kissing his own. It was better than anything he had ever imagined in his head.

Gaara had never felt happier than he did the moment Sasuke's lips met his own in a soft, sweet kiss. Although they were out in the middle of the path, he didn't care. He focused all his attention on Sasuke and the intense kiss they were sharing. It was better than anything he had ever imagined in his head.

Sasuke kept his hand in Gaara's hair and moved the other to Gaara's side, his lips still softly caressing the other boy's mouth. Gaara moved his first hand to the back of Sasuke's neck and placed the other on Sasuke's side, holding on to his shirt. He continued to gently massage Sasuke's lips with his own, his heart practically jumping out of his chest.

When they finally pulled apart, their eyes locked again. Both boys were breathing heavily, their hearts still racing. Sasuke was overjoyed, as the reality was better than any of his dreams and fantasies. Gaara felt that, for the first time in his life, he had gotten exactly what he wanted without having to harm anyone or sacrifice anything. He slid his hand from Sasuke's side and Sasuke mirrored his movements, their hands reaching forward and clasping together. They stood in silence for several minutes, eyes locked and fingers entwined. Then, quite suddenly, they heard a figure approaching.

"Damn it," Sasuke hissed, glaring around for the intruder. "We need to go."

Gaara didn't reply. Instead, he tightened his grip on Sasuke's hand and used the other hand to make a sign. Together, the two disappeared in a swirl of sand, reappearing outside a certain building: Sasuke's apartment.

"How did you know where I lived?" Sasuke asked in amazement, staring up at his home.

"Do you really wanna know the answer to that?" Gaara asked in return.

Sasuke smirked. "I think I already do. Let's go."

Gaara kept his face emotionless as Sasuke held his hand and lead him inside the apartment. After a brief tour, he brought Gaara into the living room and the pair sat on the couch. After several quiet minutes, Sasuke cleared his throat.

"Do you think your brother and sister are worried about you or wondering where you are?" Sasuke asked curiously.

"No," Gaara replied. "Kankurou left us as soon as we arrived in Konoha and probably won't leave until the meeting with the Hokage. Temari asked to leave me. I'm not supposed to see them for several hours."

"Oh," Sasuke said, his tone suggesting he was pleased. He fidgeted for a moment. "Gaara…what did you…um…" He trailed off, blushing furiously. Damn it, Sasuke Uchiha did not blush or get nervous! That was for weaker people!

Gaara allowed a tiny smirk to grace his face. Sasuke looked so cute, all nervous for nothing. "What?"

"Um…" Sasuke began again. "Did you mean…oh, to hell with it!"

Sasuke lunged at Gaara and kissed him fiercely. Gaara was caught off-guard and stuck his hand out to steady himself, kissing back. He began to lean his body against Sasuke's, lowering the other boy into the cushions. Gaara continued to caress Sasuke's lips gently, going more firmly when Sasuke was completely laying down. Sasuke placed his hand in Gaara's hair again, pushing their lips closer together. Gaara used both of his hands to support himself over Sasuke, not wanting to create too much boy contact. After quite some time had passed, they ended the kiss, but stayed in position.

"What were you going to say?" Gaara asked.

"It doesn't matter," Sasuke said with a smirk. "I think I've already got my answer."

Gaara looked into Sasuke's eyes and smiled, the first real smile Sasuke had ever seen on him. "I love you, Sasuke."

Sasuke's heart practically jumped with joy. He smiled too, the first genuine smile Gaara had ever seen on him. "I love you too, Gaara."

They kissed softly again, their fingers entwined. Sasuke shifted so they were lying side-by-side, a much more comfortable position for Gaara. Gaara slid his hand up and down Sasuke's arm and Sasuke rested his hand on Gaara's side, their lips still firmly pressed together. Gaara's hand moved to Sasuke's shirt and he gripped it tight, pulling the boy closer. Sasuke wrapped his arm around Gaara's waist and held him tight. Gaara lifted his leg over both of Sasuke's and Sasuke slid one of his legs in between both of Gaara's. Their kiss became more passionate as their bodies continued to shift closer together.

Gaara's heart was going crazy in his chest. He had never been physically, emotionally, or mentally close to anyone, much less with the boy who had plagued his mind for four years. The only "experience" Gaara ever had was an accidental kiss with Kankurou during a confusing night in the dark, and that alone was enough to make him apprehensive of physical contact with anyone, especially another guy. However, kissing Sasuke felt like the most right, natural thing in the world, even more natural than killing people.

Sasuke thought it was unreal, what was going on. He was passionately kissing Gaara, the first and only person he had ever felt anything for. It was a dream come true. Of course, it was a little awkward. After all, the only "experience" he ever had was an accidental kiss with Naruto, one that made him sick to his stomach. He could honestly say it was the nastiest experience of his life. Kissing Gaara, however, made him feel like he was floating on a cloud, the highest cloud in the sky. He had never felt so wonderful in his life.

Gaara gently pulled out of the kiss, his body remaining in its current position. He closed his eyes and sighed, relaxing his head against the cushions. Sasuke rested his head on Gaara's chest and Gaara moved his hand up and began softly stroking Sasuke's hair. Sasuke snuggled closer to Gaara and closed his eyes with a small sigh of content.

"Sasuke?"

"Hmm?"

Gaara hesitated for a fraction of a second. "What's your goal in life, now that you've killed your brother?"

Sasuke opened his eyes. "I don't really have one anymore. That's why I came back to Konoha. I need a new goal." He paused. "You once said that your goal in life was to kill everyone in order to prove your existence. What's your goal now?"

Gaara looked down at Sasuke, his expression surprisingly soft. "To make you mine," he whispered, leaning down and capturing Sasuke's lips in another kiss.

Sasuke pulled away after a while and smirked. "Sounds like a good one. And I guess you could say that my new goal is to keep you in my life." He leaned up towards Gaara's ear. "Forever," he added quietly.

Gaara's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Really," Sasuke confirmed, kissing him briefly.

Gaara had a slight concern in his eyes. "Do you really feel that way? Or is it just because of our current…situation?"

Sasuke looked directly into Gaara's eyes. "I've had four years to figure things out. Trust me, I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life."

Gaara searched Sasuke's eyes and saw the truthfulness behind his statement. He smiled and leaned down, their lips joining in a passionate, heart-felt kiss. Both boys knew, in the back of their minds, that they were rushing things, but neither cared. They had spent four years thinking of and feeling for each other. It was time for them to make up for what they missed.

When they finally pulled apart, Gaara pressed his lips against Sasuke's forehead. Sasuke smiled contently and laid his head against Gaara's chest, snuggling closer to him. Gaara continued to play with Sasuke's hair.

"I love you," Sasuke said quietly.

"I love you too," Gaara replied.

After some time, Sasuke closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. Gaara never slept, so he watched Sasuke sleep while he continued to stroke his hair. His mind was processing everything that had happened recently. Just a few days ago, he thought he would never see Sasuke again, and now they were cuddling on the couch, not a care for anyone except each other. Sasuke grunted in his sleep and shifted closer, causing Gaara to smile.

Four years had already gone by. But then again, he was worth the wait.

End Chapter 3

I think I did a pretty good job on that chapter. And for those of you who think they're OOC, put it in the back of your mind. Trust me, everything that's been happening is for a reason and will be explained later. My definitions for obsession and love were provided by . Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Chapter 4 coming soon!