Hello there faithful readers and welcome to new readers. You are all wonderful inspirations to me and it really means a lot to me that you all take the time to read my story. I hope you enjoy the newest installment. There's a bit of a time jump in this chapter, but nothing really significant just the deepening of bonds and attraction as more time is spent with each other. No sex yet, just more pre-foreplay and struggling with feelings, but the struggle is about over. So get ready because… Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to the beach we go.
Chapter Seven
"Everybody got everything, 'cause I ain't turning around fifty times," Kankuro said as he loaded up the rented jeep. "We really should get one of these now since we're close to the ocean," he said to Deidara as they shoved the gear in.
It was six o'clock Sunday morning and their shops were closed. Beach day finally; they had put it off for two months as Iruka healed from their fight with the thugs and to iron out the kinks in the businesses. Yes, a whole day at the beach with nothing but them, the sun, the sand, and the surf. They deserved this break.
"Yep," Deidara agreed. "Head's up Naruto," he yelled as he tossed up another surfboard.
Naruto caught the board and strapped it down with the other five. They looked like the colors of the rainbow; Gaara's-green, Temari's-pink, Deidara's-red, Iruka's-blue, Naruto's- orange, and Kankuro's-black. "We should trade in that Volkswagen. Gaara, are we riding our bikes down?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, I think nii-san is too," Gaara said as he handed the cooler over to Kankuro. He took a duffle bag from off his shoulder. "Wetsuits, towels, surfboard wax, and sun block," he said as Kankuro put the cooler and bag in the back.
Deidara ruffled his hair and handed two umbrellas and lounge chairs up to Naruto. He put a blanket in the jeep. "Our otouto thinks of everything," he teased.
Iruka came out with a cooler, Temari following behind him carrying a basket to jeep. "Shit, I forgot the silverware," Temari slapped her forehead.
"I'm on it sis," Naruto said as he jumped off of the jeep and ran to the door. Temari yelled 'love ya!' after him. He grabbed the bag off of the table and a bag that had their extra clothes in it before heading back out the door.
Iruka was pulling on his jacket when his cell phone rang. He wrinkled his brow when he didn't recognize the number. He hit the talk button, "Hello?"
"Iruka-chan, it's Mikoto, did I wake you?" she asked.
Iruka calmed down and smiled, "No Mikoto-san, we've been up. I thought it was bad news. I didn't recognize the number," he explained.
"I'm calling from the home phone. I didn't get you at the bakery," she said. "Did you finally get the day off?"
"Yes," Iruka smiled wider. Mikoto told them they were going to get burned out if they kept working so hard. "The family is going to the beach."
"That sounds like fun," Mikoto said. "I bet the kids would like to go to the beach one day," she said with a bit of a hint in her voice.
In the past several weeks, Mikoto and the children had become the siblings' honorary family members. The siblings became attached to the children first because the easy bond that was started after the rescue grew deeper as the children spent more time with Iruka and his family as the weeks passed. Mikoto's bond with the family which had began out of gratitude deepened as she got to know them better and adopted a motherly feeling for them. They spent a lot of time with each other inside and outside of the bakery and eventually, Mikoto and the kids started popping up at their house on occasion after dance classes and when the shops were closed. Deidara and Kankuro put up a swing set and sand box now that their visits were increasing.
Iruka and his family still weren't sure what Mikoto's family did to earn a living, they just knew it had something to do with the fashion industry and that they had a lot of money; but for all of their money, they were lonely and they latched on to their family like starving men who were offered food. Iruka looked to his family with a pained expression. Deidara and Kankuro shrugged, Temari and Naruto nodded vigorously, and Gaara nodded normally. "Would you guys like to join us for the day?" he offered.
"We would love to! We can be ready in half an hour, ja," Mikoto said hanging up quickly.
"I think we just got played," Deidara said.
"She really knows how to get around us," Kankuro agreed.
"Oh well, it's not like we don't like them," Naruto said. "They're our friends."
"You just like her hot son," Gaara said earning a glare from Naruto.
"Nii-chan, since Mikoto-san is coming, can I invite Ino-chan?" Temari asked.
"Of course, 'Mari-chan, call her now and let her know we're leaving in forty-five minutes," Iruka agreed ignoring Kankuro in the background waving his arms and pulling his thumb across his neck. He knew Kankuro had been an unwillingly dancing for Ino in dance class because she was unable to partner with anyone else and that he was extremely uncomfortable but he also knew Ino was the best thing for Kankuro.
Temari stuck her tongue out at Kankuro and kissed Iruka's cheek. She pulled out her phone and called her friend. They had become closer after the first time they went shopping together, a trip Ino initiated because she was sure Temari would be too shy to do it. Since then, they'd gone shopping a few dozen times, Temari had used Ino's help to size and design her dance costume, and Ino had taken Temari out to the best places for lunch. Ino started hanging around the house with Temari after a week into their friendship. She confessed to Temari that she was attracted to Kankuro while he avoided her like the plague and Temari vowed to help her friend and brother get together. "Wanna go to the beach with my family?" she asked when Ino picked up.
"You mean I can lie here awake for a few more hours doing nothing then get up and do nothing or I can come to the beach with you and ogle your brother in a Speedo. Hmmm, what will I do?" she asked.
"We leave in forty minutes so come to the house. By the way, no Speedo but he will be in a wetsuit to surf. We all wear one," she told her friend.
"Yum, Kankuro in a wetsuit with all of those muscles. I can't wait. I'll be there in thirty minutes," she promised as she hung up the phone.
"She's coming," she yelled to Iruka. They figured out the seating before their additional guests arrived. Without much arguing, it was decided Temari and Ino would ride with Iruka and Kankuro while Gaara, Naruto, and Deidara would ride motorcycles, and Mikoto would take her own vehicle. Iruka took off his leather riding jacket and put it in the house while Temari and Naruto packed more food and towels.
Ino pulled into the driveway twenty minutes later with wet hair and a bagel in her mouth. She smiled at Kankuro when he glared at her. Temari came out and the two gave a quick embrace. Ino looked at Temari's hair, "Ooh! Do mine too," she said as she saw the long French braid.
"Iruka-chan did mine," Temari said. Ino gave Iruka puppy dog eyes and he motioned her forward. Soon Mikoto arrived with kids in tow and Iruka had to braid Koyuki's hair.
"Can you teach me to surf 'Ruka-chan?" Fuyuki asked excitedly.
"We'll see," Iruka said as everyone went to their vehicles.
"Can I ride with you guys?" Fuyuki asked when he saw there was one seat left in the jeep.
"Ask obaa-san," Iruka instructed. Fuyuki ran to the limo and after a minute he came back smiling and sat between the girls.
"I feel odd going to the beach with a limo," Deidara said causing his brothers to laugh.
Naruto, Gaara, and Deidara straddled their bikes and pulled their helmets on. They pulled out of the driveway followed by Kankuro and Mikoto's driver.
The shortcut Naruto and Temari found had shaved at least fifteen minutes off of the time making it almost eight o'clock in the morning when they pulled into the driveway at the beach. They all parked together with the bikes between the vehicles. Everyone carried something and it took at least three trips to get everything from the jeep and limo. Mikoto directed her driver while he set up her large bug tent with a cot, kid's toys, and chairs. With this done, she told him to go have fun in the casino while she adjusted her camera and snapped off a few shots of the ocean and the children bouncing around with excitement. The driver gaped at his mistress before sputtering his thanks.
The adults loaded the pale children down with sunscreen and put zinc on their noses. They set up umbrellas, chairs, blankets, and put the coolers and food baskets in Mikoto's screened tent. When they were satisfied with everything, they asked the kids what they wanted to do first. "Watch you guys surf!" Fuyuki shouted as the other kids cheered.
Naruto patted him on the head and shouted "Yosh!" and started pulling off his shorts and tank to put on his wetsuit while the others laughed.
Ino sat next to Mikoto and took out her phone. Temari was pulling her clothes off and was standing in a bikini. She adjusted her straps before taking her wetsuit from Deidara and put it on and pulled up the zipper. She ran over to Ino who hid her phone. "Hey, I'm gonna paddle out while the waves are good. Do you mind," she asked.
"No way, go ahead. I'll talk to Mikoto-san," she said. Temari wondered at her smile which looked mischievous. She shrugged and ran for her board. When she was gone Ino pulled her phone out again.
"What are you doing?" Mikoto asked when curiosity got the best of her. Ino was holding up her phone clicking off pictures of Gaara, Temari and Kankuro.
"Sending wish you were here postcards," she said as she selected two pictures of Gaara, one where he was standing in skimpy Speedo and one in a wetsuit and sent them to Neji's phone the captions said 'wish you were here'. Ino chuckled evilly and sent the text to Neji. She selected three pictures of Temari, two in the bikini, front and back, and one in the wetsuit and sent them to Shikamaru's phone with a caption that read, 'don't you wish you were here?' She set the picture of Kankuro as her wallpaper; the caption read 'best scenery ever'.
"Oh you're evil," Mikoto said as she pulled out her phone and took pictures of Iruka whose hair was down for the surfing ahead, Deidara with his hair in a long braid, and Naruto before his suit was pulled over his upper torso, his tattoo showing and sent them to Kakashi, Itachi, and Sasuke with a caption that read 'guess where I am'. She sent another text to her beloved husband that read, 'My darling, please bring another lounge chair and bottled water when you leave. Dress for the beach, I'll see you soon'
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Shikamaru opened one eye as his phone vibrated. He picked it up and groaned before he opened the text from Ino and fell out of bed when he saw the content. His phone rang and he knew it was Neji from the ringtone. He answered it while he rubbed his head. "Yeah?" he asked.
"Did you get a text from Ino?" Neji asked with a muffled voice.
"Yeah," Shikamaru glowered. "I was enjoying it when you called."
"Is she trying to kill us?" Neji asked. "I thought she was happy you introduced her to Kankuro."
"You wanna go to the beach?" he asked.
"After I get cleaned up from my damned bloody nose," Neji grumbled. He hung up with Shikamaru. Two minutes later Sasuke called him. "You got a text too?" he asked.
"From okaa-san no less; Kakashi, Itachi and I were in a meeting with otou-san when we got texts. Needless to say it was embarrassing," he growled.
"Shikamaru wants to go to the beach," Neji said. "Wanna come?"
Sasuke snorted. "Could you see any of us at the beach other than Shikamaru?" he asked. He thought of the blond and how the guy in the background of the picture was checking him out. 'What if he finds someone at the beach', he thought to himself, 'not that I really care'. He closed his eyes and saw the dobe bent over with a sexy lifeguard licking his neck. Sasuke's eyes snapped open and his glare darkened to epic proportions.
Itachi flung the door to the study open and he brandished his phone at his brother, "Do you see what okaa-san sent this time?" he asked as his voice broke and Sasuke could tell he was past livid. Sasuke saw Deidara in the picture looking over his shoulder smiling with a surfer guy behind him holding his waist. Itachi's glare could have darkened the skies for a thousand years.
"Hold on Neji," he said as he opened his new text. Naruto was smiling at some guy as he handed him a shell from the beach, their fingertips touching. His scowl almost rivaled Itachi's.
Kakashi burst through the door and said, "Meeting's postponed, I'm leaving," his white knuckled grip almost crushing his phone. They saw his screen and almost gawked at the picture of Iruka being lifted in the arms of a buff muscle guy. Kakashi had a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Sasuke put his phone up to his ear again, "We're leaving in five minutes."
Five minutes later, Fugaku was sitting in his son's Audi R8 Spyder while Itachi swerved in and out of traffic. "Something bothering you, Itachi?" he asked trying to hide his amusement.
Itachi ignored him and tightened his grip on the wheel as he sped through traffic as Sasuke and Kakashi tried to keep up with him in the car behind. He had a score to settle with that blond for the past two months now and until it was settled, he refused to give him up to a beach bum or anyone else for that matter. His dark eyes glittered with malice as scenarios of torture ran through his head. Giving a dark smirk, he pressed the gas.
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What really happened:
Fuyuki watched as Iruka and his family paddled out into the ocean fascinated as they caught waves one by one riding them into the shore or wiping out in the curl. He wanted to learn to do it so badly. He watched as Iruka stood up on his board as he caught his own wave, his board gliding over the water as he balanced on it. "So cool," he whispered as Iruka went air born and flipped.
Iruka dropped out of the wave and the undertow took him down. He surfaced thirty seconds later and swam for his board standing when he reached the shallows. A muscular lifeguard came into the shallows and grabbed Iruka's elbow. "Are you okay?" he asked steadying Iruka as the waves crashed into him.
"I'm fine, thanks. I'm an experienced surfer believe it or not," Iruka said with a smile. He noticed that the lifeguard came out to make sure that everyone in his family was okay after they wiped out except for Kankuro who intimidated everyone.
A large wave hit them as they talked and Iruka stumbled. The lifeguard lifted him bridle style and carried him to the beach before setting him down on his feet. Iruka mumbled a thanks as the lifeguard went back to his tower. He looked around embarrassed to see where his family was. He saw Naruto with Daisuke collecting shells. Some guy was standing beside them handing Naruto a shell he thought they would be interested in.
Deidara was being helped up after tripping on the shore while he chased the twins. The guy helping him had his hands on Deidara's waist. He thanked the guy after gaining his feet and went back to chasing the twins in the sand.
Temari, Gaara and Kankuro were out in the ocean looking for the next set of waves. They each grabbed the next wave, dropping in at a safe distance from each other.
Fuyuki ran up to Iruka and pulled on his arm. "Wow, that was the coolest thing I've ever seen," he said excitedly.
"You're easy to impress," Iruka joked. "You sure you want me to teach you how to surf?" at Fuyuki's nod, Iruka led him out to the ocean and held the board steady as the boy got on the nose of the board. Iruka climbed up behind him and paddled out into deeper water and began instructing the boy on balance. In twenty minutes, Fuyuki was able to stand on the board for a minute before falling over into the ocean.
After chasing and catching the twins for a half an hour, Deidara paddled out on the ocean with them on his board and let the waves bring them back to shore after they decided they were going to surf too as they watched Iruka and Fuyuki. The boys screamed with excitement and begged to do it again each time they reached the shallow water. Dei complained about it being a pain, but he was having as much fun as the kids.
Gaara, Kankuro, and Naruto were out in the ocean while Daisuke and Koyuki splashed in the shallow waters and tried to catch fish as Mikoto looked on. As the sun rose higher in the sky, Temari shed her wetsuit and joined Ino on beach towels to soak up some rays.
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"Are we going to sit out here in the parking lot while you watch from the sidelines until the police come and arrest us for stalking?" Fugaku asked in his toneless voice. To the casual observer, it looked like he was bored out of his mind but in reality he was having the time of his life. He watched as his brother-in-law and his sons peered through binoculars 'tch-ing' and 'che-ing' every now and then Shikamaru and Neji would ask 'what' and 'let me see'. Mikoto was right, this was fun. They had been there for almost ten minutes already, having made it there in record time, with the five fools hiding and growling. He sent a text to Mikoto to let her know they were there as well as a picture he took secretly of them hiding with their binoculars.
He smoothed the arm of his white loose linen shirt and lifted an eyebrow when five pairs of eyes narrowed at him. Fugaku was not impressed as he was the master of the Uchiha death glare. He looked at his watch and straightened the hat he had on his head. "I don't know about you, but I'm going down there before my wife runs off with a young surfer," he said. It got the reaction he was hoping for. The five dolts looked at one another, stood up, tossed their binoculars aside and followed him.
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Shikamaru stopped when he saw Temari and Ino lying on their bellies with their tops undone. He stood over them with a scowl on his face. "What are you doing?" he said in a low voice.
Temari turned her head to see the dark cloud that covered their sun. "Tanning our cheeks," she attempted humor using the LMFAO song when she saw his angry look. She reached behind her to fasten the clasp of her top before sitting up but he batted away her hands and did it himself, his hands ghosting over her skin as he did. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Admiring the view like everyone else," he said darkly. He threw a killing glare at a man who started to approach.
"It is pretty here," Temari said as she smiled at him. She was completely oblivious to the looks she was getting.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru mumbled. He hiked up his loose cargo shorts and sat next to her on the sand and stretched out his legs. His shirt hung open leaving his chest exposed. He closed his eyes against the sun and breathed the ocean air deeply.
Temari watched him settle beside her. Shikamaru didn't talk a lot, but there was something about him that pulled at her. She heard Ino call him lazy, but it seemed to her that he was just a relaxed and easy going person. In the weeks she had gotten to know him she had learned that Shikamaru was extremely smart and he used his smarts to figure out the most efficient way to do something. She nudged his shoulder with hers. "You need to put on some sun block before you get burned. I can do it for you," she offered.
Shikamaru tore off his shirt and waited. He bit back a groan when her small hands began to massage the lotion into his skin. She pressed against him and massaged his chest and abs before sliding down his arms and finally his back.
Temari sat back on her heels and rubbed the remainder of the lotion into her hands as she tried to get her blush under control. She had been dancing with this man for weeks now and she had been this close before, granted they did have more clothes on but never mind that. She watched him as he put his shirt back on.
Ino cleared her throat and smiled mischievously. She turned her head back to the ocean and saw Kankuro standing on the shore rubbing water droplets out of his shaggy brown hair. He was laughing at Naruto as he stuck his board into the sand. Ino licked her lips as she followed the path of a water drop as it slid down his body with her eyes. "Shika, you keep 'Mari-chan company. I have to go check on something," she said as she stood and brushed the sand off. She ran up to Kankuro whose expression turned horrified.
"Poor guy," Shikamaru said as he moved to Ino's vacant towel. He watched as Ino placed her hand on Kankuro, sliding it across his chest. He lay next to Temari and they stared up at the clouds that floated by.
"That one looks like a pirate ship," Temari stated.
"What?" Shikamaru asked stunned. He thought he was the only one who enjoyed cloud watching.
"That cloud right there, it looks like a pirate ship."
"Which one?" he asked as he sat up.
Temari scooted closer to him and pointed over his shoulder at the cloud. Her front pressed against his back. "That one," she said. Shikamaru turned his head and his lips brushed against hers accidentally. He just had time to register how soft and plump they were before Temari abruptly pulled away, her face flaming. "Sorry," she said as she looked away.
"I'm not," Shikamaru said as he grasped her chin and turned her face back to him and pressed another longer kiss on her lips. He brushed a lock of hair that had escaped her braid from her face. "I'm not sorry about that either," he said as his hand fell away from her face. "Go out with me," it wasn't a question.
"I like you, Shikamaru, but what if dating ruins our friendship?" she asked nervously. "I'd rather have you as a friend…"
"No way in hell you're putting me in the friend zone. I want to date you Temari, not stand by while some douche steps in and treats you like shit when I know I'm the one for you. Give me a chance," he said as he stared into her eyes. "If after one date you're not attracted to me we can be friends."
"It's not that I'm not attracted to you, Shika…" she began.
"Good. Then there's no problem," he said. "Next Saturday we'll go out. Leave everything to me."
Temari nodded but inside she was a mess. Shikamaru was a year younger than her but that really wasn't the problem. For at least two weeks now she had been fighting the growing attraction that she was developing for him as they spent more time together in and out of the classroom by telling herself he was a friend like Ino. She had no doubts that she could fall in love with him, given half the chance. The problem was how she would go on if she lost him all together, if he abandoned her like her father had.
Shikamaru could see darkness creep into her eyes and he pulled her against his body and stroked her hair. Temari lay her head in his lap and relaxed praying it would all be okay.
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Ino ran her hand across Kankuro's broad chest smiling when she felt a slight tremor. "Hey, friend," she purred, "You finished surfing for the day?"
Kankuro nodded, not trusting his voice to speak. He kept his gaze averted to avoid seeing her in that dental floss she called a bathing suit. He looked out over the ocean noticing his brothers were all calling it quits on the surfing as more and more surfers were paddling out. Naruto had been hit in the head by a surfboard when he was younger and almost drowned so they had made a promise to one another to get out when it was getting crowded. He went to the tent as Ino followed to get some clothes and change out of the wetsuit. Bending down and rifled through a bag to grab some shorts and a shirt.
"No underwear?" Ino teased.
"Waste of time," he replied as he bent again to get a towel.
"What are you doing now?" Ino asked as she stared at his ass. He pointed to the shower area when he stood up. It was an open shower that had a curtain for cover. "Good, I'll come with to protect your modesty," Ino smiled as she followed him towards the shower.
Kankuro frowned over his shoulder as she pushed him into the shower and closed the curtain. He took off his wetsuit and tossed it out to her. Ino left the curtain slightly open and was currently staring in watching the water run down his muscled body. She bit her lower lip, "I worry about the hygiene of these things," she said as she tried to calm her racing heart.
"It's either this or walking around with itchy saltwater on you all day besides you wear flip-flops and since there's no soap there's no soap scum," Kankuro said as he took off his briefs and stood naked under the spray.
Ino dropped the wetsuit and the briefs he threw out landed in her hair but she paid no attention to them as she saw him in all of his naked glory. His muscles glistened as the water cascaded over them, rippling as he moved. His manhood hung limp between his legs but it was still impressive enough for her mouth to go dry. "Woof," she breathed.
"You say something?" he asked as he turned off the water and toweled off.
"I didn't see anything," Ino said as her cheeks heated. She pulled the briefs off of her head and turned her back on the curtain. An old woman met her eyes and shook her head at Ino as she rubbed her forefingers together in a 'shame-shame' motion. Ino stuck out her tongue and the old woman huffed at her.
Kankuro pulled back the curtain and stepped out with only his shorts on. He took his clothes from Ino and went back to the tent and put them on a drying rack. He smiled at Mikoto and Koyuki who were sitting inside to get away from the sun's rays. Suddenly a dark shadow fell in the doorway causing them all to look.
"Fugaku, darling, I expected you sooner," Mikoto said with a twinkle in her eye as he stepped into the tent carrying a cooler which he put with the others.
"I would have been if not for the bird watching on the edge of the beach," Fugaku said as he lifted the screen flap of the tent and stepped back out. He knew Mikoto would want to see this.
Mikoto wanted to scream with laughter when she saw at her sons, Neji, and her brother as they stared at the shore. They all wore white linen outfits like Fugaku causing them to stand out among the beach goers but that's not what made her want to laugh. They all had black scowls on their faces as they waited for their prey to notice them since their pride made it impossible to go to them. "They look like storm clouds," she said with trembling lips.
"I hope you appreciate how much I love you, woman. I rode in Itachi's car for goodness sake," he grumbled, "And I refuse to ride back with him."
"No need," she said as she leaned up and kissed his chin.
Iruka spotted them first. He was calling everyone together to go eat when he spied them. He smiled at them and waved frowning slightly when they didn't wave back. He slung an arm around Fuyuki and ran to the bug tent. "Hey! We didn't expect you all to be here," he said as he approached.
"Apparently," Itachi said through his teeth. He was watching Deidara talk to some beach bum, laughing freely.
"Having fun, Iruka?" Kakashi asked in an icy tone.
Iruka was confused by the tone of voice, stiff posture, and scowl. He looked down at Fuyuki and saw his expression which caused his confusion to turn to anger. "We were having a great time before you showed up with your attitude. If you don't want to be here then leave," he put his arm around Fuyuki, "We're going to continue to have a good time." He pushed Fuyuki into the tent to grab clothes and head for the shower before eating.
"No underwear?" Fuyuki asked.
"Waste of time," Iruka said.
"Do any of you wear underwear?" Ino asked.
"Not really," Kankuro answered. "Do you have any other clothes?" he asked.
Ino looked down, "No. I didn't know I needed more," she said.
Kankuro pointed at the boardwalk, "There's a surf shop over there. Let's go," he said. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and led the way. His brothers were already there getting extra clothes for the kids. They passed each other as he entered and they went to the showers.
Deidara, Naruto, and Gaara washed the kids down quickly dressing them in their new clothes and took them back to the tent before getting their own clothes ignoring the glaring men and went to get clean themselves up.
Inside the surf shop, Ino looked around at all of the sundresses before she settled on a yellow one. She was about to pay for it when she was stopped by Kankuro. He pulled out his wallet and paid as he avoided her gaze.
"Is this a date?" she asked playfully.
They turned to leave when a young guy approached Ino. "Hey baby, wanna go out with a real man?" he asked as he ran a hand down her arm.
Kankuro stiffened but didn't do anything. Ino wasn't his and never would be his. He moved to step around her and leave when she put a restraining hand on his arm.
"I already have a real man," she said as she slipped her hand behind his head and pulled him down as she lifted her face up. She brushed her lips across his gently savoring the feel of them. Running her tongue along his lower lip she wound her other arm around his neck locking him in place and deepened the kiss. She hummed with pleasure when she felt Kankuro's hands on her hips.
Kankuro pulled back and released a shuddering breath as he moved. "He's gone," he stated before he turned and walked away leaving a stunned Ino behind.
She licked her lips gathering the taste of him and grinning as she set off to find Temari. Temari and Koyuki were waiting for her at the showers. They showered and dressed quickly in their dresses and joined their group.
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Lunch was an awkward affair. The children were afraid that their day was coming to an end and it was only noon; the raven brothers and Kakashi were still pissed that no apology was made to them, the brothers who had no idea what they needed to apologize for sat fuming as well, and Neji was upset about all of attention Gaara was receiving from other men on the beach. The only ones unaffected were Gaara, Mikoto and Fugaku who were enjoying each other's company and talking about art. Shikamaru grabbed Temari's hand and went to walk down the pier after lunch and Koyuki went to hang out with some girls her age she had just met.
Iruka cleared his throat and said, "We should play volleyball."
"You mean we're not going home?" Kei asked.
"Who said we're going home?" Naruto asked as he glared at Sasuke who glared at him.
"We just thought…"Fuyuki started.
"Do you want to go home?" Deidara asked daring Itachi to say anything with his eyes.
"No!" Kai shouted.
"We're not then," Gaara said as he looked blankly at Neji.
Naruto grabbed Daisuke already deciding to ignore the glaring bastards, "You're on my team!" he said as he tickled the little boy. He and Gaara stood up and led the kids out of the tent to set up the net. Deidara threw an icy glare at Itachi and tossed his head before he followed.
Iruka waited until the children were out of earshot before he turned on the glaring men. "I don't know what's wrong with you guys and I don't care either. Those kids are having fun and you fuckers aren't going to ruin it for them," he said through his teeth.
Kankuro's mouth dropped open when Iruka cursed. Iruka never said fuck unless he was pissed beyond reason. He knew he needed to get Iruka out of the tent now. When he touched Iruka, his brother spun around and glared at him. Kankuro put his hands up and said in a soothing voice, "It's okay nii-chan." He sighed in relief when reason returned to the brown eyes. Iruka glared at the men again before leaving the tent.
"You guys are lucky. Nii-chan usually gets violent when it comes to kids," Kankuro said before he turned his gaze to Kakashi. "I know you're interested in nii-chan," he said, "I know that all of you are interested in my family and I think I approve. I have to warn you though, we all come with a lot of baggage," he looked at Ino when he said that. "Before you get too involved with us, you should ask about the past." He started to leave the tent but turned around at the opening, "If you care for them, apologize or do your equivalent to apologizing," he said before ducking out. Ino ran after him.
Mikoto and Fugaku walked out of the tent after giving them all disappointed looks.
"Hn," Sasuke grunted.
"Apologize indeed," Itachi said while Kakashi and Neji sat silently.
"On the other hand," Neji began, "maybe we over reacted. It's not Gaara's fault he's so damned sexy. Other guys are reacting to him like I do," he grumbled.
Kakashi rubbed his chin and nodded. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to apologize," he said. He didn't want anyone to take Iruka from him. He had never felt anything like what he felt for Iruka before and he didn't want to lose it now that he found it. He and Neji got up and left the tent.
"Pussies," Sasuke said.
"Hn," Itachi grunted in agreement.
"You won't see us apologizing," he said.
"Absolutely not," Itachi agreed. He and his brother got up and went out of the tent.
Outside the tent, Mikoto and Fugaku were sitting in chairs watching as everyone else played volleyball. Sasuke and Itachi watched as Naruto and Deidara ignored everyone who wasn't family and focused on the children. They watched the golden duo as they laughed and ran around. They noticed how the sun glinted on their hair, how their muscles rippled as they played, and how the sweat rolled down their golden bodies causing them to shift uncomfortably. They refused to apologize, but maybe there was something else they could do.
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Kakashi pulled Iruka away from the game after begging him to talk and headed towards the water. Iruka had a mutinous look on his face as he turned to Kakashi refusing to meet his eyes and looking out over the ocean instead. Kakashi moved to touch him but he stepped away and Kakashi let him. "Iruka, I know you're angry at me but please listen," he said as Iruka's eyes widened at the word please and his gaze shifted to Kakashi. "I'm sorry. I was acting like an asshole and I'm sorry." He ran a frustrated hand through his hair and looked out over the ocean. "Ever since we met, I've been attracted to you. Now that I know you better…" he growled in frustration, "I don't know if it's love I don't know if it's lust all I know is that I want you and I don't want anyone else to have you. Hell I get jealous of our families." He reached out to touch Iruka again and was surprised when he didn't step away. "Say something," he said gently.
"You don't love me because you don't know me well enough so we can safely say it's just lust," Iruka said.
"But I want to know you better, not just have a quick fuck. If I wanted that I would have seduced you already," he ignored Iruka's snort and incredulous look. "You challenge me, you don't take my shit, my kids and sister love you, you never ask for anything, you're sexy as hell and I want to know more. Go out with me."
"I don't know," Iruka said.
"Anything," he said, "I'll give you anything Iruka just go out with me. I need you."
He pulled Iruka closer and tried to kiss him but Iruka stopped him, "People are watching," Iruka said as he looked around nervously.
"Let them," Kakashi breathed as he lowered his mouth to cover Iruka's catching the soft whimper that escaped him. "They're jealous I have the most beautiful man on the beach in my arms," he said before capturing Iruka's mouth in a fiery kiss.
Iruka wrapped his fingers in Kakashi's shirt front and opened his mouth when he felt his questing tongue swipe across his bottom lip. He heard Kakashi growl as he crushed him in his embrace. Kakashi's hands fisted behind Iruka's back to prevent them from cupping his ass. He tore his mouth away from Iruka's, breathing hard. He wanted to throw Iruka over his shoulder and find the nearest hotel he could. Where was a hotel when you needed it? "Saturday," he said. "I'll wait until next Saturday." He led Iruka back to the game where his brothers were looking at him stunned as Temari, Koyuki and Ino squealed.
After the volleyball game Neji approached Gaara. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked when the redhead started to walk away. Gaara shrugged and followed Neji under the pier. When they were alone, he stood a short distance from Gaara. "Sorry I was acting like a baka. I was reacting to the situation, not to you. I know you're the faithful type, I was just worried you'd find someone you liked better than Daisuke and accept their proposal and you know how protective I am of him," Neji said.
Gaara's lips twitched in an unwilling smile at the idiot in front of him. "Daisuke's been with me all day," he said.
"Yeah, but there are a lot of guys who would take you away and Daisuke's too innocent to recognize it," Neji said.
"I would know," Gaara said.
"Would you?" Neji asked quietly.
Gaara nodded his eyes still blank. "I would never hurt Daisuke," he promised.
"I know. Friends?" Neji asked as he held out his hand. Gaara stared at the hand for a moment before taking it in his and squeezing it gently.
"I still owe you a finished painting," Gaara said referring to the two thirds finished mural in his lobby before he walked away leaving Neji smiling behind him.
When he passed Naruto he said, "You should stop flirting with him, Gaara. That baka will never figure it out."
"He will one day," Gaara said.
"Yeah when you're a hundred, you're too mean," Deidara said.
"You two are ones to talk, look how you treat your boyfriends," Gaara smirked before he left.
Deidara was about to yell at his brother when Itachi suddenly materialized in front of him. Itachi pinched his lips together and raised a brow at Deidara's glare. "Yelling is undignified," he said as though he were talking to a child.
Deidara tried to pull away only to have his lips stretched. "Mmrfmnnmk!" he mumbled.
Itachi's eyes glittered like shards of obsidian with maniacal glee. He pulled Deidara around by the lips as he talked to him. "You know driving down here, I had so many tortures planned for you, but this one wasn't one of them," he mused as he pulled him along. He let go when they reached the boardwalk and he sat on a bench. "Sit. I refuse to crane my neck," he said.
"Who says I'm staying?" Deidara said. He pulled the tie holding his braid and ran his fingers through the stiff mess, spreading it out so it could air.
"You're staying because you want to. Because you're attracted to me," Itachi said.
"Dream on, prick," Deidara snorted. He sat on the bench. "What? I'm curious why you pulled me over here by my lips," he said as Itachi raised his brow again. "That's an annoying habit by the way," he said as he poked Itachi's forehead.
"Hn," Itachi grunted.
They sat in silence for a while before it started to get on Deidara's nerves. "If you're not going to talk, I'm going back to my boys," he said as he stood.
"You really want me to pull your lips off don't you?" Itachi warned. He almost smiled as Deidara sat back down quickly. "I may have acted rashly earlier," Itachi said.
"Is that asshole for 'I'm sorry'," Deidara asked.
"I don't apologize," Itachi said, "but I can acknowledge I might be wrong. Maybe."
Deidara gave him a scathing look. "Whatever. It might be okay, maybe," he qualified and tossed his head.
Itachi snorted. Deidara had guts and he liked that. "If you're going to marry my sons, we should have an interview to see if you're a suitable candidate," he murmured. The wind blew a lock of Deidara's hair up. Itachi grasped it, brought it to his nose and sniffed it. It smelled like sunshine just like he knew it would. When Deidara turned his head back around, Itachi dropped the hair before he was seen.
"Admit it, you just want me to call you 'daddy'," Deidara purred at him as he slid closer. His eyes darkened with seduction and he ran his hand over Itachi's chest.
"I'll make you scream 'daddy'," Itachi promised as his obsidian eyes glittered causing Deidara to shiver.
"Whatever," Deidara said in a thick voice.
"Coward," Itachi taunted.
"Name the day, 'daddy'," Deidara said.
"I'll call you," Itachi said.
"You don't have my number," Deidara said.
"Believe me Deidara," he purred the name, "I have your number in more than one way." He stood and pulled Deidara up to stand next to him. "The boys will wonder where we are," Itachi said as he pulled the blond along.
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Naruto had tried to follow Itachi and Deidara but his hand was caught from behind. He turned and saw the bastard on the other end of his hand. "What do you want, teme?" he asked pulling his hand away.
Sasuke glared at the beach bum he had seen in the picture with his dobe. He inclined his head towards the man, "Your boyfriend?" he asked.
"Are you fuckin' crazy? I just met that guy today," Naruto ground out.
"He seems interested. Perhaps someone should tell him what a dobe you are," Sasuke said as he stepped closer to the fuming blond. The beach bum kept coming. "Never mind, he seems to be an idiot too," Sasuke said.
"Is there a problem, Naruto?" the man asked as he kept an eye on Sasuke.
"No, Aki…" Naruto began.
"Actually, Aki," Sasuke sneered, "there is a problem. Someone is butting his nose into my private conversation. When you see him can you tell him Naruto says fuck off." He grabbed Naruto's hand lacing their fingers together and stalked off dragging the blond behind him.
"Hey bastard, you didn't have to be so rude. Aki's a nice guy," Naruto said.
"If you wanted to get laid, you didn't have to go to the beach. I have eight inches I can give you," Sasuke snarled.
"What, are you gonna fuck me twice?" Naruto asked. He ran into Sasuke's back when the raven stopped suddenly.
"What did you say?" Sasuke gritted out through his teeth. Needless to say, he wasn't used to such an insult.
Naruto knew he had gone too far. He backed up slowly before he turned to run. He had gone five steps before Sasuke caught him and tackled him to the ground. Sasuke straddled the struggling blond as he glared down at him. "Care to repeat that?" he asked.
"Not really," Naruto said. He flinched when Sasuke moved above him.
Sasuke wanted to throttle the blond under him. Nobody talked shit about his manhood and lived to tell about it. When he saw the panicked look on the blonds' face he stopped looming over him in a threatening way immediately remembering what Kankuro had said about baggage. He lowered his face to Naruto's and caressed the underside of the blonds' upper lip with his lower lip.
Naruto gasped at the contact. He was expecting to get his ass kicked, not a kiss. He struggled again and Sasuke pinned his arms above his head. When he opened his mouth the raven swept in with his tongue.
When Sasuke felt the blond open his mouth wider he smirked to himself and deepened his caress. With his free hand he traced the blonds' abs feeling a spiral ridge that ran alongside the tattoo he knew was there. The blond trembled and moaned under him arching into his touch. Sasuke shuddered when he felt Naruto pull his hands free and twine them behind his neck drawing him closer. Sasuke lowered his body to cover Naruto's and was rewarded when Naruto wrapped one caramel leg around his and move it up and down in a caress.
They heard someone clearing their throat and looked up into the eyes of Mikoto. "Oh good you guys made up too. I was worried you didn't like each other anymore," she said with a twinkle in her eye. Fugaku looked around uncomfortably.
"I thought you were fighting, but obaa-san said you were wrestling," Daisuke said as he clung to his grandmother's hand.
Naruto cleared his throat and said, "That's right, we were just wrestling. It won't happen again," he promised.
"Like hell it won't" Sasuke grumbled as he moved off of Naruto who shot him a glare. He caught a glimpse of tan buttock as Naruto pulled himself off of the sandy ground. "Are you wearing underwear, dobe?" he whispered.
"Too much trouble," Naruto mumbled back.
Sasuke filed that bit of information away for later as he followed the blond who had his son on his shoulders walking in the water.
The rest of the afternoon went much smoother as the fragile peace of the adults deepened. Iruka let the kids bury him in the sand and Deidara and Naruto sculpted a mermaid's body out of the sand covering him causing the kids to laugh especially when Iruka put his hands behind his head and made kissy faces at them.
The twins tried to get Itachi to build a sand castle with them, but he refused because he was in white. Deidara fixed that little problem by tackling Itachi to the sand and piling it on him. He smiled when a very mussed Itachi got up and brushed himself off. "I'll get you for this," he threatened.
"You can try to get me, but I'm really hard to get," Deidara said flippantly causing Itachi's groin to twitch. He pulled Itachi closer to the shore and they went to build sand castles with the twins.
Daisuke was walking along the surf with his father and Naruto when a crab scuttled across his toes. He shrieked and ran for Gaara who scooped him up into his arms as Neji was knocked away. Sasuke picked up the crab and threw it into the water. He tried to get Daisuke to come back, but the little boy refused until Sasuke promised to carry him on his shoulders.
Mikoto and Fugaku went into every shop on the boardwalk then bought ice cream for everyone. Ino looked around for Kankuro but didn't see him on the boardwalk. She finally saw him as he headed down the pier. She inclined her head in the direction of the pier after getting Temari's attention. Temari nodded and Ino took off after Kankuro.
She caught up with him halfway down the pier. She took her hand in his and laced their fingers together. "Something wrong?" she asked as she looked up at him.
Kankuro stared straight ahead. "No," he said as he kept walking. He tried to untangle his fingers from hers.
"You really don't like me, do you?" she asked her voice betrayed her hurt.
"It's not that," Kankuro said.
"What is it then," Ino asked as they reached the end of the pier.
"I like you too much," he said quietly as he stared out over the ocean.
"That's a good thing," Ino said as she stroked his arm.
"Why did you kiss me earlier?' he asked.
"Because I wanted to," she said. "I want to again."
Kankuro closed his eyes. "You deserve better, you deserve someone normal," he said in a dead tone, "someone who won't cause people to stare like they're a freak."
It took Ino a minute to process what he was saying. "I hate to break it to you, buddy, but you are as normal as I am. I like you nobody else. I want you," she said angrily. "And if anyone stares, who cares? You're my guy and they're just jealous. And one more thing if you call yourself a freak one more time, I'll kick your ass."
Kankuro looked at the enraged beauty. "You'd be more convincing if you didn't sound so pissed," he said.
"This isn't a joke, Kan. I want us to date. I want to kiss you without you pulling away. I want to touch you without holding back. I want you to kiss me and touch me too. I want…" she ranted before Kankuro cut her off. He pulled her into his arms and gently kissed her lips. He pulled back when she put more force behind the kiss. "Goddamnit!" she yelled in frustration. "Stop playing with me!" She wrenched out of his grasp and turned on her heel.
Kankuro grabbed her and pressed her back against his chest. He swallowed the lump in his throat when he felt her hot tears fall on his arm. "I'm not playing with you, Ino. The tattooing across my lips caused partial nerve damage. I'm worried that I'll hurt you if I put too much pressure behind a kiss," he said. "I don't want to hurt you."
Ino turned in his arms and kissed him passionately. He started to pull back but she pulled on his hair. "No," she said between kisses, "Don't pull away. Kiss me." She grasped his hair and ground his mouth on hers as she nipped his lips hungrily. "God I want you," she murmured against his lips. She moaned when he fully participated in the kiss.
The gentle sway of the pier lulled them as time ceased to exist. Ino could feel Kankuro's large manhood press into her belly. She moaned knowing that he had no underwear on and she fought the temptation to reach in and grab it. "Let's find a hotel," she said as she broke the kiss and gasped for air against his neck.
"Let's go on a date first and get to know each other better," Kankuro husked as he stroked Ino's back.
"This is a date," she reminded him. "And I can get to know you better in a hotel room," she said as she moved against him.
"Another date then," he said with a chuckle.
She groaned before kissing him again. "I always wanted a romantic gentleman, but I'd allow an exception in this case," she said.
Kankuro brushed a kiss against her hair. "Come on. Let's get back to our family before they send a search party for us." He put an arm around her and walked back to the beach with Ino floating on cloud nine. Kankuro didn't realize it yet, but he had just called his family her family too. She kissed his jaw. She was sure she was in love as she stared at his profile and she was comforted by the thought.
When they reached the beach, Temari looked from her brother to her friend. Ino had a dreamy expression and Kankuro had his arm across her back, his hand lazily caressed her hip. She laughed as Shikamaru came up behind her and slid his hands around her looping his hands loosely on her belly. He dropped a kiss on her neck as he looked at the happy expression on Ino's face.
"Break her heart and I'll break your face," Kankuro warned.
"Likewise," Shikamaru returned.
"Isn't it nice that we can't take care of ourselves Temari and we need big strong men to do it for us?" Ino asked innocently earning a swat on her ass for her troubles. "You're lucky I like it rough," she said. She and Temari walked away laughing at the expression on Kankuro's face, "By the way, Kan, leave next Saturday open. We'll go out then. Leave everything to me," she said.
At sundown, everybody packed away everything and began to take it to the cars. They were sad that the day was coming to an end, but they knew they would do it again. The kids hugged Iruka and his family refusing to let go until Iruka promised the kids another day of fun. Everybody went to their vehicles to leave. Sasuke, Itachi, and Neji watched as their guys got on their motorcycles and drove away followed by Kankuro. They got into their cars and left after their bodies calmed down and left shortly after.
At home, Ino kissed Kankuro one more time before she left. "You sure you don't want to drag me to your room and have your wicked way with me?" she practically begged.
Kankuro shuddered against her and kissed her one final time before pulling away. "Go now while I can let you go," he said hoarsely.
"God I wish you were weak," she said as she climbed in her car. She pulled him down for one last kiss.
"Sweet dreams," he said as he stepped back. She started her car and watched as she pulled away.
I think this is my favorite chapter. Lots of confessions and limey situations. I hope you liked it too. There are more people i want to acknowledge Narutopokefan, lee, tearfularcher, crzyanimemom, isis-yolly, Kyouyax Cloud, and guests for reviewing. I want to acknowledge , Talking Russian Muffinzz22, rens shadow, Amyyyh, Taukii, Yaoilover 2892, crzyanimemom,drago flora, flavia07, Bakalover, isis-yolly, keiFORREAL,Kitty Mizu, Mitsune no Tashio, Kyouyax Cloud, Mrs. Godwn, Yunie 13, Gok-Gok san, and Queen of Angels for following. And last but certainly not least i want to thank crzyanimemom, Disturbed Obsession, drago flora, flavia 07 Ice Inu, isis-yolly, keiFORREAL, lilly98, Mtisune no Tashio, tearfularcher, The Black Rain, Yunie 13, and Gok-Gok san for favoriting this story. You guys are all the greatest and I hope you continue to read. Thank you so much. Please review. 'Till later, Jade;)