Hello, dear readers! Another shorter chapter today, but I think it's a needed break after that longer chapter last time. Anyway, thank you so much for reading, as usual, and a special thanks to those of you who reviewed. Your comments are very helpful! Now, then, without further ado, on with the chapter!

46. Put it Your Pantry with Your Cupcakes

A month passed in the blink of an eye for Sasuke. One day he was signing over the Uchiha Corporation to the government and watching Gaara get exonerated, the next he and Kakashi were hauling boxes into their new house in the suburbs of Konoha. Standing there was a box of his clothes in his hands, Sasuke eyed the house uncertainly. It was definitely not as nice as the old Uchiha mansion was, though he knew it was still an above average home. It was white, with two floors, a two-stall garage, and a spacious lawn. It fit in perfectly with the other homes in the neighborhood, many of which looked practically identical, with only slight variations in color and decoration. Glancing at his neighbors, Sasuke noted the presence of both lawn gnomes and lawn flamingos on either side and shuddered.

"Well, here we are. Home sweet home," Kakashi concluded as he kicked the door to the U-haul shut, cradling a box of kitchen supplies in his arms.

"I guess so," Sasuke replied before heading to the front door. There, with the house keys in his hand, he unlocked the door and pushed it open.

The interior seemed so cold to Sasuke, though he knew this was because it was completely barren. No furniture, no decoration, no appliances – all that the previous owners had left behind were light bulbs and the paint on the wall. Judging from the colors they had chosen for said paint, Sasuke decided their predecessors had as poor of taste as their neighbor. The living room was a lime green, the adjoining family room an odd choice of mauve, and the kitchen was a bubblegum pink. It looked as if someone had opened a box of Crayola crayons and simply colored the walls themselves.

"It's… bright," Sasuke concluded, setting the box on the floor.

"Don't worry – I've already talked with the people down at the Home Depot. We're going to repaint a lot of it," Kakashi said as he lugged his box into the kitchen. "Why don't you go and explore the rest of it real quick? I'll keep unloading the van."

Sasuke nodded and headed up the stairs, noting the sky blue paintjob on the stairwell. When he reached the top hallway, he continued with his hand running along the banister, studying every inch of it thoroughly. Again, the color was positively bizarre – for whatever reason, they had painted the hallway pure black, yet the carpet was scarlet. When he passed an open door, though, he saw only bright colors within. The one nearest the stairwell – the master bedroom – was bright yellow, and Sasuke immediately thought of Naruto's sunshine hair. Another further down the hallway was orange, and again his mind jumped straight to his boyfriend. And then he found what he was certain was to be his room – painted a nice, navy blue with beige carpeting. It wasn't as big as his old room, of course, but he felt relieved. He could get used to this room, at least. And with the bright orange room across the hallway, he had the perfect place for Naruto…

My word… I'm already thinking about us living together. I must be out of my mind…

Then it hit him – there was that possibility. After all, Kakashi was dating Naruto's dad. What would happen if they moved in together? Naruto would have to come along, and then they'd be living under the same roof. Across the hall from each other. Sasuke could just imagine sneaking over to that orange room at night and crawling under the covers with his precious blond, just lying there together. It would be summer, most likely, so they'd both be hot and sweaty…

He blushed. Yes, that would be nice. Before any of that could happen, though, there was something he had to do, and he was not particularly looking forward to it. As if he hadn't had enough awkward conversations with Kakashi lately.

Heading back down the black hallway to the stairwell, Sasuke descended to the first floor, where he found Kakashi struggling to move the flat-screen television through the door. With an amused sigh, Sasuke grabbed one end of it, and together they hauled the television into the living room, where they set it down carefully.

"Thank you, Sasuke," a particularly winded Kakashi said as he plopped down on the floor. Sasuke could see why – already the entire room was littered with boxes, furniture, and appliances.

"Want to take a break?" Sasuke offered, taking a seat across from his dad on the hardwood floor.

"That sounds great…" Kakashi replied before lying down with a sigh. "So what do you think of the house?"

"Aside from the paintjob? It's great," the Uchiha said, gazing out the window to their back yard. There were many trees scattered throughout the lawn, their multicolored leaves coating the ground in a way that matched the house's eclectic colors. "I noticed the orange room upstairs… the one by the bathroom at the end of the hallway."

"Did you? What did you think?" Kakashi asked, giving his son a curious glance.

"It seemed like the perfect room for Naruto," Sasuke confessed, blushing once more as his imagination ran wild once more. He and Naruto, tumbling together under the sheets… he hurriedly shook the thought from his head. "That's what you thought too, right?"

Kakashi smiled behind his mask. "It crossed my mind, yes. I thought it would be easier to buy a three-bedroom house now, in case… well… things get serious."

"You really like him, don't you? Iruka, I mean."

"He helped me get through this past month, that's for sure. I'm not sure if I could've done it without him. So much happened… for both of us, of course. I bet you feel the same way about Naruto, don't you?"

"You have no idea…" Sasuke replied, chuckling to himself.

"Oh, but I do. Did you forget how I was before I met Iruka, Sasuke? Remember that day we talked in the teachers' lounge about Obito? That had been eating away at me for years… I was so lonely, but I felt so guilty about his death that I didn't dare try to change anything. I felt like I deserved to suffer. If this past month with Itachi, your running away, and this Akatsuki thing had been added on top of that, I'm not sure if I could've made it. Since he was there, though… well, it was one less burden to bear. And I have you to thank for it, Sasuke," Kakashi said, raising his head to get a better look at his son.

"Me?"

Kakashi nodded. "If you hadn't cleared my senses like you did, I never would've gone to that bar that night… I never would've met Iruka. I probably would've been lonely for the rest of my life. But now, for the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm actually happy. I have a boyfriend, I have a son… things are finally getting back on track."

"So… are you going to ask him to move in with us?" Sasuke asked somewhat awkwardly.

"Not right away, no – and I would never ask him unless you were comfortable with it. After all, it was your business that paid for this house, right? It's only fair."

"But you will be having him over, I'm assuming."

The silver-haired man shook his head with a chuckle. "Well… yes. I promise we'll be discreet, though, if we happen to get intimate. Is that what you're wondering?"

Sasuke looked to the side ashamedly. "No… not exactly, I mean."

Kakashi sat up and leaned forward, ruffling his son's hair. "I know it must seem strange to you… knowing I'm dating your boyfriend's dad. It's weird for me, knowing you're dating my boyfriend's son. I think we can make it work, though."

"I know… it's just going to take some getting used to. It'll be an adjustment for all of us," Sasuke concluded, gazing up at the lime green walls. "I'm just sorry I freaked out the way I did."

"No, that was my fault. I knew who Iruka was, but I was afraid to tell you, because I wasn't sure how you would react. If I had just been honest with you as soon as I found out, then maybe you wouldn't have been so shocked to catch Iruka and I… well, in that state."

"Maybe… I think it was just too much, though. After what I'd just been though with Naruto, the whole idea of you and Iruka going at it seemed so… wrong," Sasuke said, feeling foolish as the words left his lips. "I know none of us are even related, so it shouldn't matter – and it doesn't – but it mattered to me at the time."

Pulling himself closer to Sasuke, Kakashi leaned in and placed a hand on the teen's shoulder. "Look, Sasuke… you went through a lot that night – I understand that. But if you have a problem with Iruka and I being together, then now's the time to say it. Let it all out. I don't want you to freak out and run away to Suna again because you decided to keep everything bottled up inside."

It was a twisted kind of joke, meaning it was right up Sasuke's alley. He laughed. "I know – I've learned my lesson. For me, as long as the two of you are happy, then that's all that matters."

"You're okay with the idea that we might all be a family one day?"

"It's weird, but, like I said, it's not like any of us are related. We'll just be a… more intimate family," Sasuke returned with a twisted joke of his own.

"Exactly!" Kakashi said, laughing aloud. "Now all I have to do is convince Iruka… that's going to be tricky."

"Yeah, he's a bit more uptight, isn't he? I can only imagine how he would've reacted if he'd known I was dating his son when he found me naked in Naruto's bed that day."

"I think it's safe to say he would've castrated you with a rusty fork," Kakashi deadpanned.

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time someone threatened to do that…"

"Now, since you brought it up… about you and Naruto," Kakashi began with an air of nonchalance. "I know the two of you have already had sex. I think you know that that was a mistake – you weren't ready for it."

"You're not going to give me the birds and bees talk, are you?" the Uchiha asked, half-pleadingly.

"No, I won't put you through that. I've had to teach one of those sex ed classes before," the teacher said with a shudder. "You're not sleeping around with everyone you meet – it's just you and Naruto, and I think you've learned now to save sex until you're ready, right?"

"Do you have a point with this?" Sasuke said, growing annoyed with Kakashi's rambling.

"All I'm saying, Sasuke, is that if you have Naruto over, and you decide to go up to your room and not come back down until the next morning, I'll just assume you're… studying, okay?" Kakashi said with a wink.

"Fair enough. And when you and Iruka go to your room and don't come down until morning, I'll assume you're having steamy sex."

It was Kakashi's turn to blush, eliciting a triumphant smirk from the Uchiha. As Sasuke rose to head back out to the U-haul, though, his dad called out one final time, determined to one-up the teen. "He did use a condom, right?"

Sasuke froze, but turned to Kakashi with his best poker face. "What makes you think he was on top?"

"You're not fooling me, Sasuke – I'm pretty sure that limp you had afterwards didn't come from pulling your groin," the teacher replied with a raised eyebrow. "So, did he?"

Defeated, Sasuke faced the door once more, hiding his crimson face from his dad. "Yes, he did."

Knowing just the kind of satisfied smirk that would be on Kakashi's face, Sasuke stormed out to the U-haul and continued unpacking.

I guess some things never change… he's still a pervert. I can't believe he actually asked me that… I can't believe I answered him!

With a box in one hand and his treasured katana slung over his back, Sasuke started back towards the house and laughed silently. They really were a strange family.

XXXXX

Gaara Subakuno stood in Konoha Cemetery that Saturday afternoon, staring down at the grave he had helped fill. He had avoided the funeral. He had thought about it, but he couldn't bear the thought of going. Now that the trial was over, though, he felt he had no more excuses. The time had come to confront his fears, and bid his father farewell.

The sun shined high overhead that day, making the cemetery look truly peaceful. Row after row of monuments and tombstones with the sunlight reflecting on their surfaces as a light breeze sent a few of the autumn leaves tumbling across the paved path. Gaara zipped up his dark red jacket as the cool air sent a shiver down his body.

Why isn't he here yet? He said he'd be here by one o'clock…

Looking from side to side anxiously, Gaara searched for his desired companion, but to no avail. The only people there besides him were a weeping widow laying flowers at a fallen soldier's grave and a groundskeeper raking leaves further down the hill. Other than that, it was just Gaara and his dad, the living and the dead, killer and the killed.

"Well, Dad… here we are," he said, staring down at the epitaph. " 'Here lies Kaze Subakuno – beloved husband, father, and friend.' Figures they'd remember you like that. More like 'Here lies Kaze Subakuno – bastard, deadbeat, and drunk.'"

Gaara felt his hands curl into fists as he focused on the tombstone. "I hated you. Always. You never cared about me – you turned the whole family against me, and even in your last moments, you were trying to kill me and the one I love. You always called me a monster, a heartless killer, but you… you were the real monster."

A shadow passed by on the ground as a flock of geese flew overhead. Gaara sighed. "And yet… I pity you. I know how miserable you must've been… how lonely you were. Because I was like that once… I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I would've become like you – angry, violent, and alone. I can see me in you… which is why I also love you, Dad," the redhead said, biting his lip to stop the welling tears. "I hate you for what you were, but I love you for what I know was once there. I love you, because that's all I ever wanted from you, and but you were so blinded by your hatred you could never give it…

"I'm not sorry for what I did, Dad. I had to protect myself… protect Lee… you left me with no other choice. I'm just sorry that you'll never know the happiness I've found in these past few months."

A single tear rolled down Gaara's cheek and dripped onto the grave before he quickly wiped his eyes with his jacket sleeve. One tear was all he was going to give – it was time to move on and enjoy life for a change. It was only after his eyes were dry, however, that the redhead heard the crunching of leaves behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he found Naruto approaching, his hands in his orange pants pockets, wearing black, long-sleeved shirt. From the guilty look on his face, Gaara knew he hadn't just arrived.

"Sorry I'm late," Naruto offered with a sheepish smile.

"How long have you been standing there?" Gaara said, turning back to the grave.

"I think it was around 'bastard, deadbeat, and drunk.'"

The redhead sighed, "So you heard everything."

"I guess so, yeah," Naruto admitted, shifting his feet uncomfortably. "You wanted to talk to me about something?"

"Yeah… I've been thinking. I owe you guys for your support through all of this. I know you've had problems of your own, but you've been by my side despite that. So, I want to make it up to you."

"Gaara, there's no need for that…"

Gaara held up a hand, cutting him off instantly. "No, I insist. I want to show you guys how much I appreciate what you've done for me."

"Well… what did you have in mind?"

"A party," Gaara said flatly. "I know the last one we had could've gone better, since I was still new to the group. Maybe this time I can open up a bit more…"

Naruto's eyes brightened as an idea sprung to life. "I know! It can be a housewarming party for Sasuke and Kakashi! They just moved in today – we can surprise them with decorations, gifts… everything!"

"As long as it's not just for Uchiha," the redhead added, feeling the blond was getting carried away. "Remember, I want this to be for everyone."

"Of course, of course – we can just kill two birds with one stone this way."

"That works, I suppose. Should we start making some calls?"

"I can get Kiba and Choji onboard. Iruka, too. I haven't seen much of Shikamaru lately, though," Naruto said, rubbing his chin in thought.

"That's because he's been over at my house with Temari. I can get the two of them to come along. And Lee, of course."

"Perfect!" Naruto exclaimed, clapping his hands together for emphasis. "This is a great idea, Gaara."

"Thanks, that means a lot. I'm… not really experienced with this type of thing," Gaara said somewhat embarrassedly.

"You'll get better, I'm sure. Anyway, I'll go and make some calls. Was there anything else you wanted to talk about while I'm here?"

Besides how I called you out here so I could talk to you about my father, because I thought you of all people would be the one to understand my pain? Or how I still dream that we might somehow end up together, despite how much I love Lee? How I almost wished Sasuke didn't come back from Suna, so I might have a chance with you once again?

"No… nothing."

"All right – I'll see you later, then!" Naruto called out as he began running down the path out of the cemetery, leaving Gaara alone once more.

The redhead kicked a leaf off to the side as he continued to stare at his grave. Despite his lingering feelings for Naruto, he was surprised by how little it hurt now. At first, the thought that he would be giving Naruto up to Sasuke was the most painful thing imaginable. But now, it was almost as if he'd come to accept it. That was simply reality – he could dream of being with Naruto all he wanted, but it would never come to be. For that reason, it was more warming than anything else, being around Naruto. Lee had captured his heart, but those feelings would always remain.

I guess Naruto was right… there is room for more than one person in my heart…

Taking a last look at his father's grave, Gaara felt no regrets. He had thought he'd need Naruto to confront his father once and for all. Instead, he discovered that his friends had only made him stronger. Love, loss, and suffering – they'd made him into a more stable person.

And, as strange as it seemed, he was happy.

"Goodbye, Dad."

And, with that, we end the story of Gaara and his father, and begin the new stage of Sasuke and Kakashi's lives. How is Gaara's planned party going to work out? And will anything change now that Sasuke and Kakashi are living in the same space? What about their love lives? Are Naruto and Iruka going to be okay with the new arrangements? Find out next time in For Naruto, Whenever I May Find Him, and, as usual, review!