Warnings: Heavy make out scene

Chapter 14: Love, away from his eyes

Gaara's POV

It's the second week of December. And these past couple of weeks, I've been tutored. Not only by the rituals, but by being kept away from the only person who's ever showed me true love. Though he comes to my window sometimes on Friday or Saturday nights. It's still only little moments in time we spend together.

Today is Saturday night and I have nowhere to go with my father. Tonight I don't have to spill my blood in hopes that'll be purified in the eyes of the insane. I wait, Naruto doesn't usually come late. He usually comes around five and only stays a little while. So his visits don't interfere with the time of the rituals. Though he doesn't know about the rituals, it's just a convenient coincident that he comes so early.

I stay up till eleven hoping he'll show. I wait ten more minutes and then give up on the thought. I go to my closet to grab a change of clothes for the night. Then came a tapping sound. I automatically turn to my window. I am delighted when I see Naruto on the other side, though my face expression doesn't show any of my glee. I let the blonde in, my face never changing from it's emotionless state. Naruto looks at me, and his eyebrows frowned.

"Sorry I'm late. Jiraiya and me were spending some time together."

"I don't mind." I say quietly. I actually felt safer that he was here so late. Everyone in the house was asleep, so I didn't worry so much about being caught. We sit on my bed—well I do. Naruto sprawls out hardly leaving any room for me. We talk for a little, just enjoying each others company like usual. But then, Naruto does something out of our normal routine. He pulls me down to lay next to him, by tugging on my legs. Then before I could ask him why he did that, his lips were against mine. I couldn't bring myself to relax for the longest time, just waiting for my father to come in and find us.

But around the time he ran his tongue over my bottom lip, I lost myself. Soon Naruto was on top of me and his tongue explored my mouth. His hand roams up my sweater and runs over my chest. I let out a small moan, at the prickly feeling spreading from my chest to cover my body. Our lips part and my sweater is pulled over my head; then discarded on the floor.

Our lips came together again in a gentle kiss. This time both of our hands roamed. I touch his spine, running a finger along the little bumps. Naruto lets out a moan this time and takes off his own long sleeve shirt. I don't know exactly how far this is going to go, but right now I could care less. We kissed fiercer this time, our bare chests rubbing up against each other. Hands running along arms, backs, sides, and even to jeans. While Naruto trails kisses along my jawline my hands trail lower down his back. When Naruto stopped his little kisses in favor to suck on the junction of my neck and shoulder; I had reached his blue jeans. One of my hands comes around to the front of the pants and pops open a button. Naruto moans into my neck. Maybe relieved that his pant didn't seem so tight anymore. With the baggy jeans and boxers I'm wearing, I don't feel so constricted.

Not feeling modest or shy at all, I unzip the pants to give me room to slip my hand in. My palm slowly slides in, brushing against the bulge in Naruto's underwear.

"Ah…Gaara…" Naruto gasps out in a hushed whisper. I smirk at the sound of my name. The blonde nuzzles his nose into my neck. He moves against my hand and I let him. But after awhile remove my hand from him.

"You should go." I say quietly, in an emotionless tone.

Naruto groans, not only because of the statement, but because of the loss of warmth on his crotch. "Why?"

"Because I said so, I'll see you on Monday." I tell him, pushing him off of me. If he were to stay here any longer I wouldn't be able to control myself; then someone will definitely wake up and I'll be in a shit load of trouble. Naruto fixes his pants, and put on his shirt, then heads to the open window. I follow him, and hold the ladder steady as he climbs down. I wave at him, and he waves back, before carrying the ladder back to his home soundlessly.

Naruto's POV

I put the ladder back into my garage, I don't know if Jiraiya is still awake or not. But I try to be quiet just in case he's already gone to bed. I sit on my bed, thinking back on the day I first showed up at Gaara's window. I know his father's hurting him and I know Gaara's not telling me the truth. He had said his dad doesn't hurt him anymore, but I don't believe it. I feel so helpless, what can I do to help Gaara? I have no clue, and no real proof that Gaara was lying. I just have a feeling that he is, but there's nothing I can do other then sit and worry.

I get ready for bed and turn off all my lights. I look out the window just in time to see the lights in Gaara's room go off. Then I shut my eyes and go to sleep.

Sunday seemed to drag on forever. But it too did finally pass, and now I'm heading to class to see my little redhead this morning.

"Hey Naruto?" Sasuke asks me, while we're walking together. "Have you heard the rumors?

"I've heard a lot of crap, you're gonna have to be more specific."

"About you and Gaara."

"No…"

"People are going around talking about, how you two are like some weird masochistic couple. That forces other people to join in on their 'games'."

I burst out laughing. "Are you serious?" My friend nods, and I just laugh some more. "That's just some bullshit." I say before we part to go to our separate classrooms. I go over to Gaara, who had his head on his table. That's not like him, he usually always has a book in his hand.

"Hey, are you alright?" I ask my boyfriend. He lefts his head and I get a good look at his eyes. They are blood shot and half-lidded. "Damn, didn't sleep well?" I ask sweetly. Gaara shakes his head no and rest his forehead back on the desk. I leave him be, if he was that tired then he really needs the sleep. I couldn't help but wonder if maybe his dad did something to cause this. I feel anger boil inside me, but it soon disappears as Gaara speaks.

"I have some good news." He says quietly. I wait for him to finish. "I may be able to spend some time with you next weekend.' He mumbles.

"So your dad isn't upset anymore?" I ask, happy to hear that I can maybe see Gaara without having to sneak around.

"I guess." Gaara whispers in a tired voice. He then rubs his eye, his sleeve slipping down his arm. I look at the little designs on his arm. First I though he had drawn them on, like a lot of kids draw on there arm here in school. But when I look closer I see it's dry blood, in the shape of a very elaborate cross. I was disgusted, knowing exactly who must have done this to him. I was about to question Gaara, but the bell rang and students and teacher came into the class.

I finally have a chance to speak to my babe, at lunch. I cut right to the chase. "How'd you get that cross on your arm?" Gaara looks at me confused, and I grab his wrist. I pull back his sleeve to show him what I was talking about.

"….I…was bord." He mumbles out the obvious lie. I know he didn't do this to himself but, he won't talk about it. Is he protecting his dad? I sigh and let his hand drop, along with the subject of the cut on his arm brought up. The rest of the lunch period I give Gaara a break and don't ask him any questions. I just wish he wouldn't lie, he's not helping himself by doing so. If he'd just tell me what exactly is going on, maybe I could do something. Help him somehow, finally take the sadness from his eyes, that remind me so much of my past. And that's why I fear for him. If his eyes now look like mine used to, I can't imagine the things he's been put through. I just want to help.

I come home laughing with Jiraiya Saturday night, we had celebrated another best seller. And I couldn't say no to having a real meal. Not just something popped in the microwave. Though it was late and I should be heading off to see Gaara.

"So how is this whole relationship working out?" My guardian asks. He knows that I sometimes visit the redhead next door. He actually finds it cute.

"It's ok, but…can't help but worry. You know." I say being very vague. I don't think I should tell Jiraiya of my suspicions yet.

"Well it'll pass. At least until you two are eighteen, then no one can tell you what to do." Jiraiya tries to cheer me up. I nod and he tells me to go on and visit my boyfriend. I get the ladder and as quietly as possible rest it against the side of the house. I climb up it, and the thing shakes a little. I thought I would have fallen off, but it stopped. About half way up I stop, there are voices coming from inside Gaara's room. I sit and listen to the conversation. Though it is a little muffled and hard to hear. I could make out some of the conversation.

"…..it's safe. I'd say we've done a good job of keeping the….at bay. It'll be ok if you hang around you friend….don't let it control you. Don't be tempted to sin." That's all I could understand, and it enraged me. I could also make out a muffled 'of course father', from Gaara. Then the sound of a door closing, Gaara's dad must have left. I stay still on the ladder just a little bit longer, before going the rest of the way up.

Before I tap at the window to get my little angel's attention I look around. I thought I heard something, but just shrugged it off as the wind blowing some leaves around. I tap at the window once, then look over my shoulder again. Just to make sure no one was around, then I tap again. Gaara opens the window for me, and I climb into his room.

A/N: I don't have much to say, just hope you enjoyed this chapter. See you next time.

Beta: I do though. Every1 i am soooo very sorry it's taken forever for Yellow Kiwi here to update. It's my fault. I'm back at it though, so no worries!