Disclaimer: This is where I would put a really witty remark about how I don't own Naruto, but since it's too troublesome to do that, well, you can just think up one on your own. Oh, and by the way, did you know how hard it is to speak in a monotone voice everytime you're talking to someone? Really hard. Oh yeah, by the way, I decided to go ahead and have the party in the next chapter. So, get over it. Enjoy.
Rehabilitation
Chapter 14
"Rise and shine, boys! It's time to go shopping!"
Kyuubi's sickeningly cheerful voice broke through the sleep-induced fog surrounding Naruto's mind, and he glared hatefully up at the offender, snuggling closer to his cuddlybunny and murmuring softly. He was just about to drop back into sleep when he was rudely poked in the shoulder.
"I said up and at 'em, Naruto. Get up, get off the couch, or I will be forced to dump you off it. Capiche?" The redhead asked, deadly serious in the turn of the second.
Naruto growled threatingly, but opened his eyes again, only to find himself staring into teal eyes that watched him with some sort of emotion he didn't even want to identify. Letting out a horribly girlish squeal, Naruto jumped up, noticing that he was covered in a blanket and, more importantly, had been lying on top of Gaara in his sleep. Although, whether or not the redhead cared was something he couldn't figure out. Not that he really wanted to just yet.
"Good, you're both up. Go brush your teeth, your hair, maybe shower if you want to, and change your clothes. Because WE'RE GOING SHOPPING!!" He was back to sickeningly cheerful again.
Naruto nodded dumbly and obediently made his way into the bathroom, and was promptly halfway through brushing his teeth when his brain suddenly caught up with his body. He rushed back into the living room, noticed Gaara was just beginning to stand, and questioned with a mouth full of paste, "What do you mean, shopping?!"
Kyuubi grimaced, brushing off a flying dollop of paste that had landed on his cheek. Gross. "I meant shopping. Kakashi-dad and Itachi are planning a party tomorrow, so we need to go today to get some clothes. We've each got 200 to spend at the stores. Now, please finish getting ready; that's disgusting. Are you both going to shower?"
Naruto nodded at the same time Gaara did, and the blond blushed immediately. Kyuubi smirked, while the other redhead frowned minutely.
"I-I'll use Kyuubi's bathroom; Gaara, you can use ours. We'll be ready in about half an hour."
Kyubbi nodded and set down to wait.
Time Skip: Later on, because I'm too lazy to write the time passed. They're now shopping for clothes.
"Hm, what about this?" Naruto asked, holding up what looked like a tight brown shirt.
"Ew, no. You can't wear brown, Naru-chan. Wear something black, or red. Yeah. And keep with the tight, you're on the right track." Kyuubi commanded, and looked over at Gaara, who was currently just staring off into space. He got an idea. "Hey, Naruto, why don't you pick out something for Gaara to where? I'll get you something."
Naruto shrugged and replaced the shirt, ambling over to Gaara. "Lets see, you're a little smaller than me, so we'll be getting you a...well, small." (a/n: Who knows about sizes? Who cares?) He looked at the rack of shirts, then at Gaara, and ran his tongue along his teeth. "I got it. How about this?"
He picked a shirt off the rack, and Kyuubi's jaw dropped. It was a black shirt, with sleeves that stopped just above the elbow, and zipped down to about midchest. It would be tight, and the collar was almost non-existant, but it would go great with Gaara's body structure. And it would show a few inches above the pantline, meaning that that pale chest and belly button would be visible. Mm. And it would go perfect with those baggy, tan pants with the large pockets that he'd just picked up. "Perfect choice, Naruto. Well, Gaara? Do you like it?"
The redhead turned to stare at the clothes. "I guess. Although why I can't wear these clothes I don't understand."
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Because, Panda-kun, it's a party! Everyone's going to be wearing new things, and besides! These clothes will fit better than mine, because they'll, well, actually fit you!" In his mind, it was perfect logic.
"Whatever." Gaara turned away again.
"Well, here you are, Naruto." Kyuubi handed his younger sibling's the clothes he'd picked out. He'd chosen a dark shirt with long sleeves, a low v-neck, and going just a few inches past waist-line. It would stretch against the skin, but that would only work well with the plan Kakashi and Itachi had cooked up. He'd chosen long white pants to go with it, and a few accessories; a cross necklace, a metal bracelet, and a watch. For Gaara he'd chosen a ruby and amethyst beaded choker and a simple dark-beaded bracelet.
"Oh, wow, this looks nice, Kyuu! Thanks a lot! But, what are you going to wear?" Naruto asked, glancing at his brother as he took the clothes and accessories.
"Oh, just a wife-beater and dark pants. Maybe some chains. I hear Itachi and Kakashi are going with really tight undershirts and tight pants, too! Although, I actually heard Itachi wants to wear leather pants." He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Yeah, thanks for the info. Go pay for our stuff, would ya? Gaara and I are going to the food court."
Kyuubi nodded and waved, before frowning. He just realized he'd been duped into carrying all the bags, and he couldn't really get out of it, because Naruto was already out of the store. Ah, dammit.
xx
Naruto smirked as he grabbed Gaara's arm, drawing the redhead with him to where he could smell the food. His stomach was growling just thinking about all the kinds of foods they probably had there that he didn't even notice the person who suddenly stopped in front of him, causing him to crash front to front with them. "Ow! What's the big idea?" Naruto whined, rubbing his nose.
"Oh, hey, Naruto; didn't expect to see you here. Shopping for the party?"
The blond glanced up, gasped, and glomped the surprised person in front of him. "Kiba! I feel like I haven't seen you in sooo long! What's up?!" He gasped, nuzzling that brown hair and ignoring the odd looks he got from the people around him.
"Nothing, Naruto. Now get off; you're squashing Akamaru." Kiba winced, his sharp canines having dug into his own lip when Naruto suddenly jumped him.
"Oh, right, sorry. Gaara, you remember Kiba, right?" Naruto asked, finally controlling himself.
The redhead gave Kiba a nod.
"Hey, Naruto, how about greeting us?"
Naruto turned, gasped, and glomped the second person in about that many minutes. "Sai! You're back in town?! Since when?! And Shino's here too?!" It was surprises all around.
Sai, who looked suspiciously like Sasuke, and silently cursed his fate for that, shrugged. "Yeah, I got back yesterday. Kiba's letting me room with him. And I better be invited to your party!" He and Naruto knew each other from way back when.
Shino merely nodded at Naruto and Gaara, standing a little close to Kiba, as if to protect him from another unexpected glomp.
"Of course you're invited! So long as you bring your tequila surprise! You're coming too, right, Shino?" The bug lover nodded. "Great! I know Hinata's coming, and Tenten, and Ino, and...um, well, a lot of other girls and guys. So it'll be a total blast! And bring some great music, too!"
Kiba nodded, and stepped close to whisper in Naruto's ear, "Oh, yeah, and Kakashi asked me to bring that CD."
Naruto suddenly squealed, holding his hands to his blushing cheeks. "Kiba! You wouldn't dare! That would scare all the guests! Lets go, Gaara!" He grabbed Gaara's hand and rushed off, too embarassed to do anything else. He did not want to be reminded of that CD.
"That's okay, Naruto! We'll just let most of them leave before putting it in!" Kiba smirked at his boyfriend. "Lets go, Shino. You coming, Sai?"
xx
"Hm, should we have Taco Bell? Subway? Ramen? Or pizza?" Naruto asked, trying to act like he didn't just make it sound like ramen was the only appetizing thing around.
"Ramen's fine." Gaara said monotonously, following the blond to the stand.
"Sweetness. So, are you excited for the party? I can't wait to dance with you! It's going to be so much fun!" Well, as long as Kiba leaves that CD at home. He thought with a small surge of anger.
"Not really. And, I think you should know, Naruto, that I don't dance." The redhead deadpanned.
"What?! Seriously? Then I'm just going to have to teach you! Because I really want to dance with you!" He blushed as he said this, remembering what else he'd like to do with the redhead.
"..." Gaara didn't say anything; instead, he just admired the blush staining the blond's tan cheeks. Perhaps, if I allow him to teach me to dance, I can get him to spill what that dream was about. He thought, nodding to himself. Yes, I'll do that. "Okay, Naruto, you can teach me. On one condition."
Naruto was immediately suspicious. "What's the condition?"
Gaara just shrugged, though. "You'll find out tomorrow. Finish up here; I want to get home. All of these people here are making me nervous."
Naruto nodded; he didn't totally trust Gaara's 'condition,' but he really had no choice. Until tomorrow then!
It's short, whatever. Just a teaser before the party, really. Can't wait for that. Hm, I wonder what that CD is? Jk, I know what it is. It's got a nice song on it, though, and there'll be a small lime accompanied with it when it's played! So, yeah, I probably won't get the next chapter up until after vacation, so I hope you can wait a couple weeks! Please review for me, guys!
Ayame