Well, it's been a while since my last update, but that's because I've been really busy. I apologize for the delay and I don't think I'll have another delay like that any time soon. I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or its characters, even though I wouldn't mind owning the Uchiha brothers.
Chapter 4
Sasuke groaned and opened his eyes blearily, vaguely aware that he was in someone's arms, cuddling closely. He blinked a few times and Gaara's face came into focus, staring down at Sasuke. Sasuke's memory returned in a flash and he smiled weakly.
"Good morning," Gaara said quietly. "Or is it afternoon? I don't' know, I wasn't paying attention."
Sasuke chuckled. "How long have I been asleep?"
"I don't know," Gaara repeated. "I was lost in thought."
Sasuke gave Gaara a brief kiss and slowly stood up, his body feeling slightly awkward. He stumbled into the kitchen to check the time, noting that it was mid-afternoon. He made himself a glass of water and turned to ask Gaara if he wanted one too, only to see Gaara leaning against the doorframe, his eyes on Sasuke.
"I like watching you," Gaara said blankly, before Sasuke had a chance to ask.
Sasuke smirked. "That doesn't surprise me."
"I have to get going," Gaara said quietly.
"Already?" Sasuke blurted out, his glass slipping from his grip.
Gaara quickly retrieved the glass before it broke and handed it back, very close to Sasuke now. "I have a meeting with the Hokage. I was supposed to be there an hour ago."
"Where are you staying?" Sasuke asked.
"The Hokage is going to set up three rooms for us," Gaara answered tonelessly. He saw Sasuke's disappointment and almost frowned. "However, Kankurou will almost definitely sneak out the moment he goes in and Temari is a quick, heavy sleeper. They won't notice if I'm not there."
Sasuke's face lit up. "I'll be awake," he promised. "You can just come right in."
Gaara nodded. "I'll see you tonight." He kissed Sasuke briefly and turned away, picking up his gourd as he walked.
"I'll be waiting," Sasuke muttered to himself, going to the window to watch Gaara leave.
Gaara appeared at the Hokage tower in a swirl of sand and was immediately surrounded by his siblings, both of whom looked furious.
"Gaara, where the hell have you been?" Kankurou asked angrily. "We were supposed to meet here over an hour ago!"
"I expect this sort of thing from Kankurou, but not from you," Temari said in frustration, ignoring Kankurou's sputter of indignation. "We've been waiting here forever! What kept you?"
"We asked a few people to go looking for you, but no one could find you. So what gives?" Kankurou asked furiously.
"Let's go," Gaara said emotionlessly, ignoring both of his siblings. "We don't want to keep the Hokage waiting."
"Wait!" Kankurou exclaimed, taking hold of Gaara's shirt. "You didn't answer our questions!"
Gaara once again ignored him. "We're late. Let's go."
Temari cast Kankurou a stern look and he sighed, following his siblings into the Hokage tower. He really wanted to know where Gaara had been and knew that Temari did too, but wouldn't admit it. Gaara, however, didn't plan on telling them anything. They were welcomed into the Hokage's office.
"You're late," Tsunade commented immediately, her eyes glancing over the three siblings. "Care to tell me why?"
"No," Gaara replied calmly. "I don't believe it's anyone's business."
Tsunade stared at him over her interlocked fingers. "As I'm sure you know, last week marked the end of the last of Orochimaru's research labs. We learned their locations from information provided by Sasuke Uchiha." Gaara used all his control to remain expressionless. "We've interrogated everyone and still have unanswered questions. However, we've captured almost all of his subordinates."
"You said almost," Gaara said. "Who still remains?"
Tsunade's face darkened. "Kabuto Yakushi. According to some of the prisoners, he fled after Orochimaru's death with all of the secret information he could possibly carry."
"How much?" Temari asked quickly.
"Almost everything Orochimaru had," Tsunade replied, her eyes not leaving Gaara's face. "However, it might very well be on secret scrolls or such, meaning that he probably has it on him at all times." She leaned forward and stared at all three of them. "His capture is more important than anything and will mean access to everything Orochimaru ever did."
"Any idea where he might be?" Kankurou asked curiously.
"No," Tsunade answered in a disappointed tone. "However, we're still working on that. One thing's for sure: sooner or later, he'll come back here. And we'll definitely be ready for him."
"How can you be sure that he'll come here?" Gaara asked blankly.
Tsunade's eyes flickered to him. "Because Kabuto will come after Sasuke. Sasuke betrayed and killed his master. Kabuto will want to kill him as revenge."
Gaara's heart rate quickened. "Is that a fact?"
"Yes. The prisoners gave information on him and some claim to have heard him say it."
"Does Sasuke know?" Gaara asked swiftly, causing his siblings to glance at him in surprise.
"He would be stupid if he didn't already figure it out," Tsunade commented, slightly curious of Gaara's questions and reactions.
As Tsunade continued to talk, Gaara's mind wandered over to what he had just heard. If he was honest with himself, he wasn't really surprised at what he heard. Of course Kabuto would want to come after Sasuke. He only hoped that Sasuke was prepared for it. When Tsunade stopped talking, Gaara forced his mind to come back to the present.
"Will that be all?" Gaara asked.
Tsunade closed her eyes. "I supposed. Shizune! Show them to their rooms!"
The three siblings bowed quickly and followed Shizune, the older two staring at the back of their younger brother's head in confusion. He didn't care. He wanted to get to his room and sneak off to find Sasuke. He didn't like what he found out, but knew that Sasuke could handle himself and Gaara didn't want to spoil their happiness.
"Oh, I can't wait to get in my room and go to bed. I'm beat," Kankurou said loudly.
Temari scoffed quietly. "If he actually goes to sleep, I'll eat my fan," she muttered. "He'll sneak off the moment that door closes."
Gaara didn't reply, as he was planning on doing the same thing. He only hoped that Temari wouldn't check on him.
"Here you go. If you need anything, just ask," Shizune said, walking away.
"Ok. Well, I'm really tired," Kankurou said, not looking at his siblings. "I'll see you both tomorrow morning."
Temari scoffed again and watched as Kankurou walked into his room and shut the door. After about five seconds, they heard the unmistakable sounds of a window opening and someone jumping out.
Temari shook her head. "I don't' know what I'm going to do about him," she sighed. She turned to Gaara. "Will you be ok?"
"I'll find something to do," Gaara replied, opening his door. "Good night."
As soon as the door closed, her turned out the light and disappeared in a swirl of sand.
Sasuke awoke with a start, sure he had heard someone enter his house. He grabbed a kunai and slipped out of bed as quietly as possible. He crept towards the living room and stopped, taking precise aim at the breathing. He flicked on the light and went to toss the kunai, but stopped quickly.
"Nice to see you too," Gaara said blankly, referring to the kunai.
"I'm sorry," Sasuke mumbled, embracing Gaara. "I wasn't expecting you."
"I said I would come back," Gaara reminded him.
"Yeah, you did," Sasuke agreed, their fingers interlocking as they leaned in closer. "And I'm very well rested, so chances are I won't go to sleep this time."
"That works for me."
Gaara closed the gap between them with a gentle kiss. Sasuke slowly pushed them towards the couch and they carefully sat down in a corner of it, never breaking the kiss. Sasuke was leaning back against the side as Gaara pulled himself closer. After a while, they pulled apart and Gaara began to softly kiss Sasuke's neck. Sasuke sighed contently.
"It's amazing how fast everything is happening," Sasuke commented. "Do your siblings know you're here?"
Gaara pulled up and looked into Sasuke's eyes. "No. I didn't think it was their business."
"Won't they notice that you've left?" Sasuke asked.
"I doubt it," Gaara answered unconcernedly. "Kankurou snuck out before I did and Temari is most likely sleeping or reading."
"Where did Kankurou sneak off to?" Sasuke asked curiously.
"He's at Shino Aburame's house," Gaara said emotionlessly. "They've been together for months and he's all Kankurou talks about sometimes."
Sasuke snorted. "That's an unlikely couple."
"I'm sure they'd say the same about us," Gaara pointed out.
"I don't think we're an unlikely couple," Sasuke said.
"You don't?" Gaara repeated in mild surprise.
"I think we're a perfect couple," Sasuke replied bluntly.
Gaara smiled and gave Sasuke a searing kiss, which he returned very enthusiastically. Gaara ran his hand lightly up and down Sasuke's arm and Sasuke gently rubbed Gaara's back. The room was rather dim because a light had just burned out, but neither boy cared. They were too absorbed in each other to notice anything else.
Several hours later, Gaara laid on his back on the couch, playing with Sasuke's hair. Sasuke had his arms wrapped around Gaara's waist and was snuggling into his chest. They both felt very relaxed and pleased, but need to remember to take their time so as to not ruin what they had.
"Gaara," Sasuke said suddenly, commanding attention with his voice. "What exactly are we?"
"What?" Gaara asked in confusion.
"Like…are we…you know…boyfriends?" Sasuke asked, feeling nervous and squirming as he spoke, clearly uncomfortable.
Gaara looked thoughtful. "Do you want to be?" he asked.
"Only if you do."
"Then I'd say that yes, we are," Gaara replied simply, kissing Sasuke's hair.
Sasuke slid his hand into Gaara's and stared at their interlocked fingers. "I still can't believe it. After four years, I finally have you. Today has been one of the best days of my life."
Gaara smiled. "I know how you feel."
Sasuke looked up at him. "Will we ever tell anyone?"
Gaara paused for a second. "Eventually, but I'm sure it'll come out on its own."
Sasuke resumed staring at their hands. "I don't think everyone will like it," he said quietly. "Actually, I know some people will definitely object." He wanted to elaborate, but didn't want to upset or piss off Gaara.
"We'll never have universal acceptance," Gaara agreed. "No one possibly can. All we can do is deal with the situation and stand by each other, no matter what." He lifted their clasped hands and gently pressed his lips against the back of Sasuke's hand. "And I promise that I'll stand by you through anything."
Sasuke smiled to himself. "I'll definitely hold you to that. and I promise that I'll stand by you forever."
They kissed briefly and continued to lay on the couch. It was strange, really, that they were cuddling. Neither of them was the type to snuggle, cuddle, or show any type of affection. Yet they were as affectionate as they could possibly be. Then again, they only acted that way towards each other.
"Love can make you do crazy things," Gaara said to himself with a wry smile.
"Hmm?" Sasuke looked up.
"Nothing."
Sasuke looked doubtful. "I know I heard you say something," he said.
"No, you didn't," Gaara said.
"Yes, I did-"
Sasuke was cut off as Gaara captured his lips in a kiss. Sasuke ran his fingers through Gaara's hair and Gaara slid his hand up Sasuke's shirt and rested his palm on the middle Sasuke's back. Gaara loved the feeling of Sasuke's skin under his hand and gently rubbed his back. Sasuke used the hand in Gaara's hair to lower Gaara's mouth even closer to his. The kiss became more passionate as the two boys continued to shift closer together, longing to close the gaps between them.
When the other light burned out and cast them into total darkness, they didn't even notice.
End Chapter 4
Well, I hope you liked the chapter. I had to edit some things that I had originally written, so I hope it came out right. I've already got the next four hand-written, so all I have to do now is type them up when I get the chance, so expect more updates soon. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Chapter 5 coming soon!