In this installment, family Sunday the lover's addition! I hope you like it so off we go.
Chapter Thirteen
When Iruka woke in the morning, he found Temari, Shikamaru, Kankuro and Ino in the kitchen with the older kids cooking breakfast. They were all showered and ready for the day at seven. He stretched and yawned, "G'morning."
"'Morning nii-chan, I see you slept well," Temari said causing Iruka to blush.
"What's for breakfast?" he asked to change the subject. He patted Koyuki and Fuyuki on the head as he passed.
"Pancakes," Kankuro said grimacing as he watched the pancake Ino was trying to flip disintegrate on the spatula. "You really are bad at that. Move over and let me do it or our family will starve," he said ignoring her glare as Shikamaru and Temari sniggered.
"Keep yucking it up and I'll make your breakfasts," Ino groused causing the pair to cease their merriment at her expense.
Iruka made himself and Kakashi a cup of coffee and headed back to his room. He put the cups on his night stand and slid back into bed and kissed Kakashi awake. "Time to get up, princess," he murmured against thin pale lips.
Kakashi flipped them over and kissed Iruka more passionately. "Who's the princess," he growled.
"You're the one who needs a kiss every morning to open his eyes, so I'd say you're the princess," Iruka explained. He pecked Kakashi on the lips and pointed to the cups on the stand. "I come bearing the elixir of life," he said as he sat up and handed Kakashi a cup and sipping his own.
"Is there any question why I love you, Iruka?" Kakashi asked.
"Why wouldn't you, I'm perfect," Iruka said sassily. "I love you too. Now let's go get some breakfast, I think Kankuro kept Ino away from the stove so the food should be edible." He got up to leave.
Kakashi slapped him on the buttocks and slid into his robe. "Lead the way, Prince Charming."
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Neji had been awake sitting on the bed cross legged watching Gaara and the kids sleep. Gaara was sleeping on his back, his face angelic and relaxed in sleep, with a twin sleeping on either side of him each with their head on his shoulder and Daisuke was curled up on his chest and abdomen. Gaara had his arms wrapped protectively around them as they slept peacefully. Neji watched over them as they dreamed.
When the kids started to stir, Gaara's eyes fluttered open and he saw the piercing gaze in Neji's eyes. The boys sat up and rubbed the sleep out of their eyes. Gaara was about to ask Neji if everything was okay when he heard Daisuke's soft voice.
"Gaara-chan, I gotta go pee," Daisuke yawned and it got everybody moving. Neji and Gaara took all of the boys to the bathroom and had them wash up before breakfast.
"Is something wrong?" Gaara finally asked as they went to the kitchen to get the kids something to eat before brushing their teeth.
Neji shook his head before kissing Gaara. "It's nothing," he said and followed the petit redhead to breakfast. Neji was lost in thought as he ate in silence. His mind looped the memory of Gaara's peaceful sleeping face and he knew he wanted to see it every morning for the rest of his life. He glanced over to look at Gaara who was cutting up pancakes into bite-sized pieces for the kids and putting fruit on the side for them. He wanted this. He wanted to be with Gaara and adopt and raise lots of kids with him. The thought didn't choke or panic him, it gave him a glimpse of what might be with Gaara and it comforted him.
Gaara felt Neji's eyes on him and he looked in his direction. Neji had a slight smile on his face that he returned before he turned back to the kids. Maybe Naruto was right, it was time for him to stop hiding is feelings for Neji.
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Naruto felt heavy. He tried to throw off the blanket, but it weighed at least a thousand pounds and it was hard as steel; and sticky. He moaned as he felt something hot and wet brush against his throat and he tilted his head. The hard heavy blanket was poking against his lower abdomen and he tried to turn over but couldn't budge. Moaning again, this time in frustration, he spread his thighs and the blanket fell between them easing off some of the weight. Naruto sighed with satisfaction and smiled.
Sasuke could not believe the dobe was still sleeping. He was laying on top of him with a raging hard on kissing and sucking his neck and the blond was still sleeping. He was about to give up when he heard Naruto moan and spread his thighs causing Sasuke to drop between them. His eyebrows shot up to his hair line as he looked into the still sleeping, peaceful, smiling face before taking the full pouting lips in a fierce kiss.
Naruto could feel himself be pulled from dreamland by lips that moved over his forcefully. He slid his hands over the hot hard body above him and responded to the lips ravaging his. He arched his body upwards and thrust his hips against the hardness pressing into him causing a groan to rip from the body poised over his. His eyes flickered open for a moment before it registered in his mind what was happening.
There was Sasuke laying between his spread thighs kissing him breathless and thrusting their hips together causing a delicious friction between them leaving him hungry for more. "Teme… what are you… uhng… right there," he moaned.
"Thought you'd never wake up, dobe," Sasuke said between kisses. Naruto's lips were bruising and swelling fuller with each kiss. Sasuke plunged his hands into golden tresses and thrust his tongue into his blonds' mouth as Naruto tried to pull him closer.
"We can't do this… oh baby, that feels so good! No! I mean we can't do this right now, uhun," Naruto said hoarsely as he clung to Sasuke.
"Oh but we can do this," he said as he ground his hips down on Naruto's causing the blond to moan deliciously. He reached between them and grasped their erections firmly in his hand and stroked them together. "Call it compensation for sleeping in this orange room," he whispered harshly as he sucked on the neck in front of him stroking their members with increasing speed.
"I like orange," Naruto said trying to focus, but Sasuke's hand made it difficult. "Teme… gonna cum… uhn so good…ah…ah…AHHH!" Naruto cried out as his climax rushed over him. He pulled Sasuke into a fiery kiss pushing him over the edge too with a low grunt.
Naruto's chest heaved with every breath as Sasuke continued to kiss his skin. After they calmed down from their climax, Naruto grumbled, "Great, now I need another shower." His pajama bottoms clung to him uncomfortably. "Horny bastard," he mumbled and blushed when he felt Sasuke's member begin to harden against him again. He pushed the raven off and got up.
Sasuke stretched and smirked at the blushing blond. "What can I say? Shrews make me horny," he chuckled darkly as the blush deepened. "Need help washing your back?" he offered only to chuckle again when the blond flipped him off and practically ran from the room. He rolled onto his back and smirked. 'It's going to be a good day,' he thought to himself.
Twenty minutes later Sasuke was showered and dressed looking like he had just stepped out of a fashion magazine and sitting across the breakfast table from his dobe. Naruto offered him a plate of food as he avoided his gaze by talking to Daisuke about their kite flying plans. When Gaara shooed the kids off to wash up, brush their teeth and get dressed, Sasuke had Naruto all to himself again since Kakashi and Iruka were showering, Neji had followed Gaara, and Temari, Shikamaru, Kankuro, and Ino were off making plans for a getaway of their own.
Naruto's breathing became labored and he tried to avoid looking at Sasuke, but his eyes were drawn to the raven unwittingly. When they locked eyes he was unable to look away and his breath caught. He became angry at the look of smug superiority on the raven's face and decided it was time for a little payback for this morning.
Naruto picked up a piece of cantaloupe between his fingers and was running his tongue along the bottom curve of the fruit catching drops of juice that had gathered there before turning it and wrapping his lips around it pushing the fruit into his mouth inch by inch. His tongue darted out and lapped at the fruit causing Sasuke to swallow hard.
Sasuke was quickly becoming light headed as he watched the piece of fruit slide suggestively between Naruto's lips. He licked his own lips in response when Naruto's tongue darted out to stab at the fruit before sliding it back into his mouth and he groaned.
"Something wrong, te-me?" Naruto purred before he bit the fruit causing juice to slide along his lip.
Sasuke's cock tightened painfully and he grunted. Without saying a word he got up and left the room putting much needed distance between him and temptation.
Naruto licked his lips and pushed his plate away. 'It's going to be a really good day," he thought with a satisfied smirk.
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Deidara lay across Itachi's chest with his hair spilling over the raven's shoulder like a golden waterfall and their legs were tangled together. Itachi's arms were encircling the blond in a protective embrace as he stroked his back lazily. He had been holding Deidara since last night catching sleep off and on as he woke up every time the blond would whimper or moan in his sleep. He felt responsible for Deidara's misery and did the only thing he knew how to do to soothe the fretting blond by pulling his body on top of his and holding him.
Itachi had time all night to think about the horrible story Deidara had told him and his admiration for the blond increased. He had gone through hell and was still defiant and strong, but at the same time he could be vulnerable. He elicited the same protective instincts in Itachi that only his own family could, leaving Itachi to wonder at his true feeling for the blond.
Deidara stirred in the comfortable warmth as his long dark blond eyelashes fluttered. He groaned and put a hand to his forehead and buried his face in Itachi's broad chest. "Head hurts," he moaned.
Itachi gently moved him into a comfortable position against the pillows and soothed his hair back from his brow. "I'm not surprised you have a headache," Itachi said. "You didn't sleep well at all last night."
Deidara put his arm over his eyes and squeezed them shut. It had been a while since he'd had a migraine headache, but here it was and just in time for Sunday. He tried to lie as still as he could as nausea threatened to spill over.
"What can I do?" Itachi asked watching Deidara turn an unhealthy shade of green.
Deidara whispered, "Can you tell Iruka nii-chan I have a headache?"
Itachi pulled on some pants and dragged a hand through his long hair and slipped out the door silently. When he reached the top of the stairs the twins pulled him down to kiss his cheeks and he patted them on the head. "Where's okaa-san?" they asked.
"He has a headache," Itachi said as he rubbed their silky hair earning him a glare from Gaara who had just finished combing it.
"I'll bet," Sasuke began until he saw the strained look on his brother's face.
"Where's Iruka-san?" Itachi asked causing his brother to gape. Itachi never used honorifics unless he really respected someone, which meant Itachi never used honorifics outside of his parents and Kakashi.
Iruka and Kakashi came through the door together kissing lightly before turning to the room. When he saw Itachi half dressed and disheveled in the family room he became alarmed. "What's wrong?" he asked as he dropped Kakashi's hand.
"Deidara has a headache," Itachi said flatly his eyes not missing the way Iruka's face grew taut with worry.
"Kakashi, you and the family go on to the park without me. I'm staying here with otouto," he said as he turned to Itachi. "What did you do?" he asked in a low threatening voice.
Itachi was almost afraid of the smaller man for a moment. He cleared his throat and said, "Deidara told me how he got his scars."
Iruka and his siblings drew in a sharp breath. Deidara hadn't been able to get over what had happened all those years ago even with therapy. The therapist had told Chiyo that in order to deal with it he had suppressed the memory so deep he may never be able to confront it properly. He couldn't even say Kyuubi's name much less talk about that night, but he had somehow told this man in front of them. Iruka gave Itachi a short nod before going to get the prescriptions he kept filled every month especially for Deidara.
"Is there something I can do?" Kakashi asked when Iruka reappeared.
Iruka smiled sadly and shook his head. "Dei gets migraine headaches occasionally when he confronts the past. He's buried the memories so deep they cause him physical pain when he tries to recall them or when they surface," he explained. When he faced Itachi again his eyes were thoughtful. "You must be special to him that he would put himself through so much pain," Iruka said before he started to go to his brother.
Itachi put a restraining hand on his forearm. "Iruka-san, since I am responsible for his pain I will stay here and take care of him," he said quietly causing Kakashi and Sasuke both to gape at him. For Itachi to use an honorific outside of his family was one shock, but for Itachi to take care of anyone but family was unheard of.
Iruka gave him a hard stare before he pulled out of his grasp and ran down to Deidara's room causing Itachi to run a frustrated hand through his hair. Five minutes later he returned to find everyone in the same positions they were in when he left and Kakashi and Sasuke were still gaping at Itachi who looked a little anxious which meant he was nearly homicidal with worry.
"Sorry about that Itachi, but Deidara needed the medication quickly. Have you ever taken care of a person with a migraine before?" Iruka asked as his family gaped at him. Iruka never let anyone take care of his family members. At Itachi's negative head shake Iruka guided him to the kitchen to make a list of do's and do not's.
After about ten minutes, Itachi came back into the family room with a sheet of paper with a neatly written list on it. "Is okaa-san gonna be okay?" Kei asked.
"Yes," Itachi said as he patted the children's head again.
"Can we stay too?" Kai asked as he chewed his lip.
Itachi shook his head but put a hand on his sons' shoulder to soften the refusal. "I will stay with him for now. When he feels better we'll come to you." He patted each child on the back as they hugged his waist before going back down to check on Deidara.
"That was…" Kakashi began.
"Fucking weird," Sasuke finished. "He seemed almost…"
"Human," Kakashi supplied as he stared at the spot where his nephew had stood. "Deidara's good for him."
"But is he good for Dei?" Naruto asked quietly aloud what the others were thinking.
"Should we still have Sunday?" Temari asked worry evident in her voice.
Iruka nodded. "I talked to Dei downstairs and told him we were going to cancel and he tried to get up saying he wouldn't be the reason for missing Sunday. From the looks of it it's not as bad as it could have been which means Itachi must have been looking after him all night. He should be up and around in a couple of hours if they do what's on the list."
The rest of the family nodded. Iruka was the final say in all family matters and if he says Itachi can take care of Deidara and he would be okay in a few hours, it was good enough for them but it didn't erase all of the worry from any of them. They loaded the car up and called Mikoto to let her know what was happening. She sent a driver to drop off Itachi's car before she and her husband left for the park.
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Deidara sat propped against his pillows with his eyes closed when he felt a cool cloth press gently onto his forehead to soothe the raging burn. "Thanks, nii-chan," he whispered.
"Hn," Itachi grunted.
"Itachi-san?" Deidara started to move his head but pain streaked through his temples causing him to groan.
"Stay still, baka," Itachi said softly as he skimmed Deidara's face with the cold cloth.
"Why are you here? Where's nii-chan?" Deidara asked.
"I'm taking responsibility for you," Itachi whispered lowly. "Now stay still and close your eyes." Long minutes passed as Itachi gently stroked Deidara's pale face and hair with the cool cloth. He refreshed it often keeping it cool and soothing as he used rhythmic gentle strokes to glide over the pale skin.
"Sorry. I know you were here to spend Sunday with the boys and I ruined it," Deidara whispered miserably. A tear slipped down his cheek partly from guilt, partly from pain, and partly from the gentle treatment his demon was giving him.
Itachi's chest tightened when he saw the tear. "Don't be foolish, we can still have time with the boys if you shut up and feel better," he said in a harsh tone that was in conflict with his gentle ministrations. "Besides, the boys want their okaa-san."
They fell silent again as Itachi continued to care for Deidara. "Why did you tell me if you knew this would happen?" Itachi whispered.
"I wanted you to know. It's important that you know," Deidara said weakly.
Itachi slid into the bed careful not to disturb Deidara too much and gave him the next dose of medication that was due. He propped Deidara's back against his chest and held him up while he sipped water and took the pill. After it went down, he repositioned Deidara comfortably and surrounded him with pillows.
"I never would have thought you were so caring, Itachi-san," Deidara whispered.
"I'm not. Now shut up and let the medicine do its job," Itachi whispered as he stroked Deidara's face with the cooling cloth again.
Deidara took his hand and a small smile played around his lips. "Yes, Itachi-san," he whispered. The smile slid away and he squeezed Itachi's fingers. "Thank you," he whispered.
"Hn," Itachi grunted softly and held on to Deidara's hand until he fell asleep. Itachi looked down into the beautiful face and smoothed a gentle hand across his forehead pushing aside the blond bangs and placed a kiss on his brow. After Deidara was asleep for a few minutes, he went to shower and dress as he heard the rest of the family leave for the park.
Deidara woke up two hours later feeling much better, or so he said. He was still pale and his hands shook when he ran them through his hair.
"Liar," Itachi murmured as he cradled the blond in his arms and carried him to the bath he had prepared for him. When he started to remove Deidara's pajama pants the hellion balked.
"Itachi-san, there's no way I'm taking off all of my clothes for you," Deidara said in a low tone as to not start another headache.
"Tch, I can tell you feel better when you start acting like a termagant again. Relax," Itachi spoke softly, "you don't have anything I've never seen before, mine's just bigger, and I won't take advantage of an invalid. At any rate, it'll all be mine soon, so the point is moot. Besides, you saw me naked last night." He gently batted away Deidara's hands pulled the pants off.
"And it gave me a raging headache," Deidara grumbled as he stood naked in front of the devil. When Itachi lifted a black brow Deidara asked, "Like what you see?"
Itachi's mouth didn't know whether it wanted to water or go dry. He knew Deidara was fit like the rest of his family, but he was far more beautiful. Refusing to say anything he stripped out of his shirt and lightly lowered his angel into the water. Itachi tenderly massaged Deidara's head with shampoo then conditioner. He washed Deidara's arms, torso, legs, and feet in gentle rhythmic motions causing Deidara to blush from his the top of his head to the toes he was currently washing. Itachi kept a tight leash on his libido filing away every sensitive spot Deidara had for their trip where he'd unleash it full force.
Deidara was trying to calm his racing heart without success. Itachi embarrassed him with the intimate gentle treatment, but he never wanted it to stop. He said nothing as Itachi pulled him up and begin to dry him and put his toiletries on.
Itachi wrapped his blond in a robe and put his shirt back on before he picked him up in his arms again ignoring him when he said he could walk. He carried him up the stairs and put him in a chair. "Hungry?" he asked.
"A little," Deidara said. Itachi made dry toast and tea for the both of them. After eating and taking his next dose of medicine Deidara stood up on shaking legs to go get dressed.
"Baka," Itachi scolded. He quietly pushed Deidara back into the chair. "Digest your food first. I don't know about you, but I'm not in a frenzy to clean up vomit. Your clothes are up here already." He left the room to return with them tucked under his arm. He stepped behind him and ran a brush gently through golden hair. "I'm tying this back like mine. The last thing you need is to have a ponytail pulling at your hair."
"Yes okaa-san," Deidara said in an exasperated voice. The next time he gets sick he hoped Itachi was at least five countries away.
"Hn," Itachi grunted before sliding Deidara's legs into his pants and helping him to stand. Itachi gave the turtleneck tank to him to put on. After he was dressed and thoroughly embarrassed, Deidara was ready to go. He raised his brow when Itachi handed him sunglasses. "To block the glare," Itachi muttered.
"I know, I'm just surprised you do since you're not the caring type," Deidara said.
"Hn. Let's go, and don't forget your prescriptions," Itachi turned to leave.
Deidara caught Itachi's hand and stopped him from turning away. He leaned close to Itachi and breathed in his sandalwood scent. He ran his hands along his chest until he laced them behind his neck and tipped his face up and brought Itachi's face down kissing Itachi hungrily, needing to show him how he felt. He opened his mouth and pulled Itachi's tongue into his mouth sucking on it as it thrust in. They broke apart breathing heavily and Deidara laid his head on Itachi's shoulder and squeezed his eyes shut. He wished Itachi had never shown him how caring he could be. Being attracted to the devil was bad enough without adding love.
Itachi stroked his hand along Deidara's long hair letting the silky strands slide through his fingers. "Come on, let's go before the boys worry anymore about you," he said gruffly and pulled Deidara out of the house.
They drove in silence to the park with Itachi driving more carefully than he ever did in his whole life. They walked to their families when they arrived brushing against one another as they went.
"Otou-san, okaa-san!" Kei whispered loudly as he and Kai ran to them.
Deidara dropped to one knee and held out his arms to hug his little monsters while Itachi warned him not to overdo it. They sat together and watched the kids fly their kites as Itachi kept an eye on the time reminding Deidara when his next dose of medication was due and Deidara allowed him to tell him what to do while their families stared in disbelief. After Iruka checked him out, he left Deidara in Itachi's care where he obviously wanted to be.
"I'll be damned," Sasuke whispered before he was hit in the head with a Frisbee.
"Head's up, Teme," Naruto yelled as Daisuke laughed. Sasuke chased after his clone and his dobe bearing down on them mercilessly. He tackled Naruto who screamed to Daisuke to run for his life. Sasuke pulled his son down next to his vixen and tickled them until tears streamed out of their eyes. He allowed Daisuke to escape so he could chase him down again causing the boy to screech with delight and run to Naruto for protection; a move his father had anticipated giving him the opportunity to get them both again. Naruto and Daisuke soon found themselves on the ground fighting the tickle machine.
"I'll be damned," Itachi whispered as he watched his little brother play with his son and lover like a carefree kid. Sasuke had never been a carefree kid even when he was a kid and Itachi was secretly pleased to see his brother so happy.
"Dei-chan," Mikoto said softly as she sat next to him, "are you alright? When Iruka-chan told me you were feeling ill I was worried."
"I'm fine, Mikoto-san, thank you. Itachi-san took very good care of me," Deidara said avoiding Itachi's eyes.
Mikoto's eyes filled with happiness as she looked at her husband then her two sons and brother. She felt like patting herself on the back and eating a giant cookie. She knew Iruka and his family would be good for her family. She patted Deidara's hand before walking to her husband.
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Iruka stood behind Koyuki as he helped her get her kite higher. She and Tammy were sharing a kite since Tammy caught hers in a tree. He would have climbed up to get it, but the little ones were always trying to imitate him and his brothers, so he thought better of it. When he was satisfied the kite wouldn't come crashing down to earth, he moved away and went to watch Kakashi, Fuyuki and Yuu have 'dog fights' with their kites as they danced through the sky narrowly missing one another.
He laughed as the trio tried to get leverage by pushing one another or yanking on the other's kite string. When Kakashi had enough playing he gave his kite to Tammy and went to his dolphin and pulled him down on the ground and watched the kites dance in the sky. He propped his head up with his arm and looked at Iruka. "Have I told you I love you today," he asked.
Iruka brushed gravity defying silver hair gently and said, "Memory loss already, Hatake-san? I'm surprised you'll remember me tomorrow."
"Who could forget that ass?" Kakashi whispered hotly into Iruka's ear. "You promised no more Hatake-san when you saw me naked. Do I need to remind you by getting naked again?"
Iruka's soft brown eyes gazed lovingly into mismatched eyes. "I remember everything. And yes you did tell me you love me today, but I never get tired of hearing it."
"I love you," Kakashi whispered before giving Iruka a chaste kiss.
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Shikamaru and Temari lay in the grass watching the kites dance among the clouds. He sat up and pulled her up to a sitting position. "What's wrong, Shika?" Temari asked.
"Nothing, I was just wondering how long it's been since we got together," he asked.
"Well if you start it at the beach, then it's a little over two months but if you start it from our first official date, it'll be a little over a month now," Temari said.
"And what if I start it when I first saw you dancing with Gaara at the bakery," Shikamaru mused as he reached into his hoodie.
"I would be worried since we hadn't even spoken at that time and I was hiding from you."
Shikamaru turned Temari's hands over and placed a box in them. "I'm not artistic like your brothers so I can't make you something romantic; it'd be too much of a drag anyway worrying if the nose and ears were too big, or if the eyes crossed…" he trailed off as he started to babble. "I hope you like it."
Temari looked up at his face then back down at the box in her hands. She opened the box and saw a little teddy bear in a tux jacket and top hat lying inside. She laughed, "I love it. I'm gonna name him Fred," she said as she started to kiss him.
"There's more," Shikamaru said quietly before she could kiss him.
Temari looked into the box again and saw a beautiful delicate gold chain with a jade pendant affixed to it lying under the bear. "Shika…" she breathed as she pulled it out.
"Do you like it?" he asked. "I knew rings would only bother you when you dance or teach."
"It's beautiful," she said, "But I can't accept this. It must have cost a fortune."
"I bought it for you," he said stubbornly. He took it out of her hands and leaned forward and put it on her neck admiring the jade as it fell just above her breasts. "It matches your eyes just like I thought it would."
"My eyes are up here," Temari said playfully as she kissed him.
"Yeah but now thanks to this little beauty, I can have the best of both worlds," he said before she slapped his arm playfully.
"I love you, baka," she blurted out.
"Do you, Temari?" he asked quietly.
"I love you, Nara Shikamaru," she said in a definite tone.
Shikamaru gave her an adorable lopsided smirk that went straight to her heart. "I've loved you since I first laid eyes on you, Troublesome." He pulled her into his arms and stroked her cheek, his dark eyes intense. "My beautiful Temari," he whispered just before he claimed her lips. He teased her full top lip with his tongue before settling his mouth fully against hers and kissed her deeply letting the world melt away.
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Naruto was hiding from Sasuke. His ribs hurt and so did his cheeks, the back set, where the teme had pinched them so many times calling it punishment for everything under the sun. He rubbed his buttocks with his palms trying to soothe the ache when he saw Neji staring intently at Gaara. He walked up to Neji and sat on the bench next to him. "Do you love him?" he asked straight out.
"Yes," Neji replied quietly without hesitation.
Naruto glanced at the man who was staring at his brother playing with Daisuke and nowhere else. "You have to be sure you love him. Gaara doesn't open his heart to everyone and if he gets hurt, he'll most likely never open up to that person again. He learned that the hard way, we all did," Naruto said. "So you have to be sure he's what you want." He patted Neji's shoulder before walking away. He turned after a few steps and said, "I don't think I have to tell you Hell would be like a tropical paradise if you hurt him, right."
Neji watched the blond walked away as he pondered his words. Does he want Gaara and only Gaara? His eyes sought out the redhead as he thought back on the past months since he first saw him. He remembered the instant attraction, the overwhelming desire to possess the beautiful redhead that surfaced immediately when he saw him; the feeling of shared destiny.
Their first dance class together when he first held him in his arms and how perfectly he fit against his body. The wit and quick mind he possessed. The achingly beautiful face and deep jade eyes that drew you into their depths until you feel like you were drowning. The strength and beauty of character, the artistic creativity; he remembered all of it and more. The question isn't did he want Gaara; it was who else could he want.
He thought back on a mythological creation story he remembered hearing in school once about a humanoid being that was perfectly happy because it was two beings in one and it was complete. They were envied by some of the Gods for their perfect happiness and were split apart and left roaming the Earth trying to find their other half. When he looked at Gaara he knew that he was his other half because he felt complete and he would give anything if the redhead loved him too.
Neji watched as Daisuke ran to Naruto and was scooped up. He though he saw longing creep into Gaara's eyes as he watched Naruto carry away the chattering child. Gaara saw Neji sitting on a bench and walked over to join him. Neji could hear the thundering of his heart as his beloved approached.
Gaara sat down and crossed his legs. "You don't seem like you're enjoying yourself, Hyuga-san. You've been out of it since this morning," he observed as he watched the twins picked flowers and took them to Deidara.
"I've had a lot on my mind. I'm having a wonderful time though, I apologize if I made you think otherwise," Neji said.
Gaara sat silently next to Neji listening to the natural and not so natural sounds of the park as the kids ran around screaming and playing. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the top of the bench. Neji swallowed as he gazed at Gaara. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the box and put it on the bench next to Gaara. When he opened his eyes, he raised a thin eyebrow questioningly at Neji, "What's this?" he asked.
"Open it," Neji prodded.
Gaara picked up the box registering its weight before lifting off the lid. Inside was a large ruby pendant affixed to a silver chain. Gaara lifted it out of the box and watched how the gem sparkled in the sunlight. He looked at Neji again his jade eyes had a hint of confusion in them.
"I hope you like it. I saw it the day we walked around and I wanted to buy it for you."
Gaara handed it to Neji who put it around his neck. While he was so close, Gaara pulled him into a kiss. He slid his lush bottom lip against Neji's thin pink lips before he put a little pressure on Neji's chin causing his mouth to open. He plunged his tongue into Neji's waiting mouth savoring the taste of him. He threaded his fingers into his long dark hair, feeling the cool soft texture slide through them. He committed to memory every divot, peak, and valley of Neji's mouth as he gently kissed it.
Neji gave complete control of the kiss over to Gaara until he couldn't ignore his instinct to take over. He bent Gaara until the arm he had snaked behind him bore most of his weight as he took over the kiss letting his passion run free. He sucked and nipped at the plush full lips as he thrust his tongue in and out of the beautiful mouth pulling gasps and moans from the smaller man. He sucked Gaara's tongue hard before soothing it by massaging his own tongue over the abused muscle. His free hand cupped Gaara's buttocks squeezing it and driving his hips into him making the smaller man whimper bringing Neji to his senses and causing him to pull back leaving them both shaken. He saw the simmering passion in Gaara's eyes and how it warred with fear and uncertainty. Neji rested his forehead on Gaara's and closed his eyes breathing in Gaara's minty scent.
When he had his raging body under control again he moved away from Gaara. "Sorry," he apologized refusing to look into the eyes that feared him.
"I'm sorry too, Hyuga-san. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me. It was just a little… intense that's all. I'm not used to that," Gaara said. "I trust you."
"You shouldn't," Neji stated flatly.
"I do," Gaara said firmly. He put his hand on Neji's arm and laid his head on his shoulder.
Neji drew in a shaky breath. He placed his hand along Gaara's jaw and slid it across silky skin. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"I wasn't scared of you. I was afraid of myself," Gaara said truthfully. "I liked it too much."
Neji's sincere eyes bore into Gaara's. "I won't do it again unless you ask me to. I'll wait until you're comfortable with intimacy, and I'll go slowly" he promised. They sat on the park bench together as Gaara leaned against Neji until everyone was ready to go.
Neji pulled Gaara off of the bench and placed a chaste kiss on his forehead tattoo. 'Love,' Neji thought as he embraced Gaara. He did love him with every fiber of his being.
"Come back home with me," Gaara said as he clung to his statuesque beauty. Neji nodded and they walked together to his car.
Kankuro and Ino stepped out of the woods looking disheveled and very satisfied. Ino's neck was covered in hickies and she was going to have to buy a shit load of make-up to cover them up. Kankuro's neck, chest and shoulders were in no better shape. They laughed with each other as they pulled dead leaves out of their hair and try to restore some semblance of innocence. Kankuro pitched a small plastic bag in the trash and headed for his car with Ino on his arm as his family looked on knowingly.
When they got to the house, Fugaku challenged Ino to another round of ping pong. Kakashi and Kankuro went to the basement to bring the table up while the kids ran for the playground. Neji and Gaara went to the TV room to watch the remaining movies curled up together on the couch. Temari, Kankuro and Iruka cooked dinner while everyone else watched the ping pong game or played with the kids.
"Oh come on, Fugaku. The girl's just a better ping pong player than you," they heard Kakashi's mocking tone as everyone sat down to dinner.
"I haven't played since college," Fugaku said.
"That was like eighty years ago right ojii-san?" Kai asked.
"No it was only fifty years ago right ojii-san," Kei said as the adults tried to smothered their laughter.
"I'm not that old boys," Fugaku grumbled. He speared Ino with a hard glare. "We'll play again next week," his tone implying there would be no discussion about it. After dinner, the Hatakes, Uchihas, Neji, Shikamaru, and Ino reluctantly began to gather their belongings to leave.
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"Maybe you should just leave that stuff here, teme. You know just in case you and Daisuke are ever over here to sleep again," Naruto mumbled as he watched Sasuke pack his things.
Sasuke raised is brow. "Are you suggesting there will be another time?" Sasuke asked as his hands stopped what they were doing, hope rising in his chest.
Naruto refused to meet dark fathomless eyes as he shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe," he said softly. "But not because I invite you or anything," Naruto said in a panic.
Sasuke tilted his head back, "Of course you'll invite me, dobe. You like sleeping next with me, curling your body around mine, and waking up in my arms…" Sasuke teased seductively.
"Forget it," Naruto said as his face flamed. Everything Sasuke said was the truth. He loved everything about last night and today, but he would pull his tongue out of his mouth before he'd admit it.
"Admit it dobe, you want me," Sasuke brushed Naruto's full top lip with his thumb. He felt the blond snag his thumb between his teeth and nip it gently before sucking it into mouth causing Sasuke's eyes darken further. He felt his heart rate increase as he saw the oceanic eyes darken with passion. He slid his tongue along Naruto's lush lips before claiming them leaving the blond breathless. "You want me."
Naruto whimpered unable to resist Sasuke's pull. "Maybe," Naruto released a shuddering breath against the raven's questing lips.
Sasuke smirked knowing that his blond wouldn't admit to anything even under torture. He also knew the blond would give himself to him when he was ready and in the meantime, he was enjoying the chase. He let go of Naruto who took his and Daisuke's things and put them away in a drawer. After Naruto was finished he and his teme went back upstairs.
Before joining the others Sasuke stopped Naruto in the hall. "Maybe we should go on a date so we can spend some alone time together."
"I thought that's what France was for," Naruto said.
"France is for fun and sex. I thought you'd be more comfortable with the sex part if we go out without the family, but if you're okay with it…"
"Where are we going?" Naruto said his face practically glowing red. He knew the raven was taking him away for a perverted sex weekend, and he wanted it too; as a matter of fact, he wanted the raven now but he appreciated that Sasuke was offering him the opportunity to know him better.
Sasuke smirked. "I was thinking dinner then the symphony," he said. He knew Naruto had a major in art and music theory and a minor in fashion design.
"I love the symphony. I haven't been in forever," Naruto said.
"Hn," Sasuke grunted. "I'll pick you up next Friday night," he said before he walked away pulling Naruto along with him.
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When everyone met outside to say goodbye to each other, Naruto saw no one had the baggage they had arrived with and came to the conclusion that they all were leaving their stuff behind at the house.
Itachi pulled Deidara away from everyone else as they were saying goodnight. "How is your head?" he asked as his eyes midnight eyes bore into sky blue.
"I'll live," Deidara said uncomfortably. He tried to look away from Itachi, but was held prisoner by the unreadable look in his eyes.
Itachi looked deeply into the clear eyes and saw no traces of the pain his hellion was suffering earlier. He put his right hand in his pocket and looked away. "Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?" he asked. "We can go to the ballet afterward."
Deidara's eyes widened. "Itachi-san, you are taking me away on Wednesday and you already know it'll be a sure thing so there's no need…"
"It would make me happy," Itachi interrupted.
"Sitting in a diamond mine, holding a winning lottery ticket in one hand and the deed to a gold and platinum mine in the other wouldn't even make you happy," Deidara grumbled.
Itachi's lips twitched, "You think it would take that much and more?"
"No," he muttered. He was afraid to spend more time with Itachi. He was falling in love with him and it scared him because Itachi was so difficult to read. Dark eyes captured his once again demanding an answer. "Yes I'll go," he whispered.
Itachi smirked and walked with Deidara back to the twins who were waiting to say goodbye. He brushed his knuckles across Deidara's cheek in a caress before he and Sasuke got into his car and drove away.
"You're in love with him," Sasuke said.
"You're in love with Naruto," Itachi replied not denying Sasuke's statement. "Do you know how Naruto came by his scars?"
Sasuke's eyes hardened. "Yes," he said tightly not denying Itachi's statement about his love for the dobe.
"What was his name?" Itachi asked.
"Kyuubi," Sasuke answered knowing what his brother wanted. "He's dead."
"So Deidara informed me," Itachi said. Knowing the name offered no comfort.
"I would have loved to kill him myself," Sasuke said darkly.
"You would have to fight me for that privilege," Itachi said as his hands tightened on his steering wheel. They drove in silence for a while. "It didn't work, you know," Itachi mused after a while.
"What didn't work?" Sasuke asked.
"Proving to okaa-san and otou-san that they weren't worth their time," Itachi said.
"Hn, no shit, we got caught just as easily," Sasuke chuckled. "And you know I wouldn't have it any other way," Sasuke said challenging his brother to make a snide remark.
"Neither would I," Itachi said softly.
As always, I'd like to take this time to welcome and thank moo-choo chan, yaoiroselover22, and xXYaoiLover22Xx for following and favoriting this story thank you all so much for the support. And I'd also like to thank ShaggyScooby93 for favoriting the story and reviewing I appreciate it so much. I also want to thank the guest, JustCallMeMoMo, and xXYaoiLoverXx for reviewing as well. I know life gets busy, and I totally appreciate you all for taking the time to review and inspire, you guys are awesome. 'Til next time, Jade