Disclaimer: No, I don't own Naruto or any of the characters. Why in the world would you even think that?

"Talking"
'Thinking'
"'Kyuubi'"

A/N: Whoots! December! –dodges flying sharp objects- Yes, yes, I know I said within the first week there would be updates… Shut up! Be happy I'm still doing this… -hides behind couch- Sorry, like I could ever give this, my first and most popular fan fic up!

Why Him?

Naruto waved good-bye as Sasuke ran out of the village at high speed. Tsunade had received a special request for Sasuke's participation during a mission, so Naruto was stuck in the Village to worry… and plot. Usually, they'd be headed off together, but there was already a squad out there that he was meeting up with and one extra ninja was more than enough when dealing with infiltration.

As soon as his boyfriend was out of sight, he dashed across town to meet up with Kakashi and Iruka. They were going to help him get people together and throw Sasuke a party. Kakashi had agreed because he knew it would get on the Uchiha's nerves, and who would pass up that opportunity? Iruka was happy to help Naruto with anything he needed.

The party was going to be at Sasuke's house, mainly because Minato's was full to the brim with boxes and other random assorted crap from their moving attempt. So, having it there would be very difficult and utterly ineffective.

It was still fairly early in the morning when Naruto came to Iruka's front door, no later than ten. He put on a smile, took a deep breath to calm himself, didn't want to burst his eardrums too early, and was about to knock when he sensed someone in the house other than Iruka, his checking a habit he'd picked up. He recognized the chakra as Kakashi's. But if he was here, now, then that would make him early and Naruto wasn't looking forward to an apocalypse.

'I wonder...' Naruto quietly opened and closed the door as he slipped in, unheard. From what he could tell, they were both upstairs.

He made his way to the middle of the staircase and began to move on all fours. When he made it to the landing, he saw that all but one door was closed all the way. The door that was slightly ajar was Iruka's bedroom. Grinning like a fiend, he crept closer and came to a halt just outside the crack's line of vision. Slowly he leaned in closer, listening to the voices that were coming from within.

They weren't hushed, because they believed themselves to be alone. So the blonde fox-boy had no trouble hearing them. "I think we should at least mention something that hints at it so they'll ask us. Even Naruto has to be suspecting something," Iruka muttered.

Kakashi's voice came out, calm, without hesitation. "But do you have any idea how awkward it could be? You're like his father. It might be a bit weird if they found out about the whole thing. Not to mention how Sasuke'd react, seeing as you're rather protective of Naruto."

Naruto couldn't help but wonder what the hell they were talking about so intensely. This was the kind of tone he heard them using during lessons or mission briefing. "I really don't think Sasuke will care. Naruto might just laugh if we tell him…" Iruka's voice trailed off with just the slightest hint of amusement at imagining Naruto's reaction to their big secret.

"But you know how he brushes things off like that, more so when he's bothered by them."

'Hey!' Naruto though indignantly. Before he had time to think poorly about his old sensei Iruka spoke again.

"I know, but we helped the two of them, gave them advice. They've got to wonder where we learned about all the things we told them. Shouldn't we at least tell them we've been together for the past two and a half years?"

Naruto couldn't stop himself. "Nani?!" As soon as the word escaped his lips both of his old teachers were at the now entirely open door. He looked up at them with, what was hopefully, an absolutely adorable smile.

Thankfully, they didn't seem mad. Iruka was more or less mortified and Kakashi looked quite shocked about not noticing Naruto. Quickly the younger man stood up and brushed himself off.

Kakashi was first to snap out of his stupor. He raised his hand and smacked his own forehead. "Kuso..." was all that was said. Naruto inched away slightly, in case he had to make a run for it. But it didn't seem to be needed.

Iruka recovered soon after Kakashi and a small smile came to rest upon his face. The cause: most likely was that he'd won whatever their spat was. After Naruto was sure they were not going to kill him he asked that they get right down to business. Agreeing, they sat at the living room table to plan Sasuke's surprise birthday.

They needed someone to make a cake. People to get food and decorations. Someone to spread the word. In short, a lot of stuff. Not to mention that Naruto was stuck with the monumental task of cleaning up the Uchiha Manor and making it presentable for the partygoers.

Iruka handled the food preparations while Kakashi would go around and find people to get decorations. All Naruto had to worry about was the cleaning and making sure everything was ready before the birthday boy got home.

----

Sakura ran straight to the back room of the flower shop. She knew how Ino hated that she did it so often, but even the added bonus of making the blonde angry paled in comparison to what she had found out. The pink-hair woman called out her friend's name over and over. Finally, the other girl answered.

"Nandai yo! What do you want Forehead girl?" Ino hissed, quickly gaining a headache from the high-pitched screeches of her companion.

Sakura took a few needed deep breaths, needing them to calm herself. After catching her breath, effectively calming Inner-Sakura and controlling her rage by effect she quit holding Ino in suspense, she said, in a low voice, "Naruto is throwing Sasuke-kun and birthday party. It's the perfect chance to mess their relationship up!"

The scowl that had rested on the blonde's face soon transformed into an evil, vindictive grin. Plots and ideas already running amuck in her mind. Sakura soon had similar thoughts within her own mind. Together they began to formulate their exact movement and the overall point and attack plan of their monstrous preparations.

-----

After two days of running around, asking favors, begging for help, and cashing in owed debts Naruto made it back to the Uchiha House. Everything was planned out. Even the decorations were being taken care of properly. Needless to say, Naruto felt very proud of himself. All that was left to be done was to find and buy the perfect gift. Which shouldn't be too hard... right? Right. It was Sasuke though. The blonde soon realized he only knew what his boyfriend didn't like.

Step one: check.

Nevertheless, all of this was to be done tomorrow. Now, it was time for some much-needed sleep. Naruto quickly made himself ramen, showered, brushed his teeth, and got into his pajamas. He snuggled into himself underneath the large blanket that lay on the large bed. It was very difficult to fall asleep without Sasuke to hold and burrow into. HE inwardly kicked himself for growing so accustomed to her best friend's presence. He felt like such a baby.

Sighing Naruto grabbed a rather large pillow and squeezed it for dear life. It was Sasuke's so it smelled wonderfully like the Uchiha, even though it was a little rounder than he was. Truth be told, the circumference of the pillow more matched that of Chouji in his Genin days. Smiling at the funny picture of a fat Sasuke in his mind's eye, the little Jinchuuriki drifted off to sleep. And it was a very peaceful one, except one statement made by a cold, ringing, ancient voice that echoed all around him, somehow sounding like it was convincing him instead of warning.

"'She's getting too close!'"

-----

Streamers: check. Clean house: check. Organize living room for party: check. Cake: ... cake? Oh, check.

Knock, knock.

Knock: check... Naruto set down the last roll of red streamers on a nearby table and practically skipped to the door. When he opened the door there stood Shino and Hinata, hands full of flowers. Naruto grabbed a bouquet and ushered his friends inside. Both set their loads down on the floor and turned to face Naruto.

"She didn't say anything did she?" he asked, worried. The Yamanaka Flower shop had the best flowers and prices in the whole Village. There was nowhere else to go.

"She wouldn't have given them to us if she thought that they were for you and Sasuke," Shino stated. Hinata nodded with a smile. After thanking them, he set about placing the groups of plants around the entire house. Some were for the party, the blonde not wanting any empty space, but most were for bringing some light and life into the lonely, dark house. Within two hours, everything was ready for Sasuke's party. He was coming home tomorrow. Naruto could hardly wait.

Just as he was about to go and make a well-deserved lunch there was another knock at the door. He paused, one foot already in the kitchen. There wasn't anyone else who needed to come by. He was positive. Then there was another knock.

"Naruto?" Gaara opened the door slightly. Said blonde grinned and bound over to his friend who had now completely entered the house.

"You are supposed to wait for someone to answer," he chided. Gaara just gave him a 'Look'.

"I needed to talk to you before you got too busy." Gaara took three seconds to realize he'd done the opposite and caught the boy when he was finished. "Oh well. I still need to speak with you." The tone in his voice hinted that the topic was important, but not upsetting.

They both walked into the kitchen, Naruto offered his guest tea or Ramen. Gaara simply declined both and waited while he made up one cup of insta-ramen. Finally, he sat down across from the redhead, waiting expectantly.

"Things have been getting busy between the Five Nations, Chuunin Exams, border problems, alliances changing and forming anew. A lot has been happening and I was wondering if Hokage-san had spoken to you about training?" After receiving a confused stare from the other he elaborated. "Training to become Rokudaime."

Cue jaw drop. "No way. Already?"

"Just training," he stated. "It's nothing solid, but it means you're being looked at. Suna does something similar, though they don't get so up front about it." There was a hint of knowing in his tone.

He jumped up and shouted for joy. Within seconds, he'd spouted at least thirty nonsensical words. Naruto was now red in the cheeks and still going. For nearly two minutes Gaara tried to calm his friend down, it didn't work. Another minute passed before he sat back down and demanded details.

Gaara simply said, "No." He explained that he guessed the blonde wasn't even supposed to know yet. After making the Jounin promise on his honor not to tell or say anything he stood and made to leave.

"Oi, are you coming to Sasuke's birthday party?" he called from the kitchen doorway. Gaara turned his head and gave the blonde a look that made him feel like he'd sprouted a third arm. "Heh, no then?"

As the Kazekage left he could help but think, 'So, that's what Uchiha has to deal with everyday... Kami help him.'

TBC...

A/N: Oh snaps! Gaara had good news! Go fig! -gets hit in head by flying panda doll- ... Is this yours Gaara-kun? -Gaara snatches away-... O.o' I felt bad for them, having to deal with the ho-twins was bad enough. Naru-chan needed good news! Anyway, review or it will take me even longer to update! Yes... this is a threat. Love you guys!

REVIEWS!

animenut18

son of a- she stole the old version of this! That's all mine! Ooh! Thank you profusely for telling me about that. I just… ah! Wow… ALL PRAISE ANIMENUT18!!!

darknight11447

You know, you can always review twice! :D lol… but really, review twice, I'd love that! Hope you liked this chapter!

shadowphoenix143

All hail the pointer out of typos that make me look bad! –bows- And damn right people will support them! Eff the wonder twin hos! I'm glad you liked the scene! I was soooo worried it was cheesy.