BTW: I know its longer than I thought it was gonna be too. Im sorry for my awful writing but if anyone is still reading way to go you. and lots of dialogue in this'n' so it looks long but it reads fast BTW: I recently had my computer be a retard and not split up my chapters like they should be and it was a big block soooooo srroooooyyyyyy bout that
RECAP: Matsuri is coming with temari and kankuro
Naruto and Gaara were walking out to the front gates to meet the gang. Sakura and Sasuke came up to greet them too. They didn't really surprise Naruto. What really surprised everyone waiting was when Shikamaru showed up. Naruto and Gaara knew why he was there but it was still a bold move. Only a few minutes of small talk was shared before the sand nin were approaching the gate. Temari ran up and hugged Gaara. Naruto wasn't expecting it but she hugged him too.
"So many people waiting for us. We must be pretty popular in Konoha, ha."
Kankuro wasn't far behind Temari he hugged Gaara and shook Naruto's hand. They still hadn't quite gotten over the awkwardness. Matsuri was the last to greet everyone. She politely introduced herself to Shikamaru, Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto. She seemed kind of shy but she finally got around to greeting Gaara. She did so with a huge hug. Gaara was lightly hugging her back and looking over to Naruto. They started picking their bags back up to walk to Naruto's apartment. Shikamaru carried Temari's bags and talked to her the whole way over. They finally reached Naruto's apartment. Naruto couldn't help but feel jealous of the attention Gaara was giving to Matsuri, just because she hung on his every word. Naruto and Shikamaru piled the bags into the guest room. Naruto started shouting out directions for the guests.
"You guys will be sleeping in the guest bedroom. Right now I got it so you three are in the same bed. I have a cot but it sucks hence the plan to have all three of you in the same bed. We don't really plan breakfast and the other meals are around town. The bathroom is down the hall but the only shower is off my room-"
Temari and Naruto's hands accidentally brushed amidst all the organization. The two were already blushing at the mention of Naruto's shower but that made it even worse, so did the fact that the others noticed. They finally got settled in. Shikamaru and Temari were still talking. Before she had unpacked they were already leaving for lunch. Matsuri was small, as in she didn't take up much room with her luggage. Although he was jealous of her, because of all of the attention Gaara gave her, Naruto was determined to be nice to her. Kankuro and Gaara were talking in the kitchen and Matsuri and Naruto were alone in the guest room.
"...So...Matsuri...I hear you're my Gaara's student."
"...Yep."
"Must be pretty fun right?"
"Sure is..."
"Cool...cool..."
Kankuro walked in to get something out of his bag. He heard the awkward conversation between the two. Naruto turned to him.
"I can set up the cot if you want."
"Nah. I'm OK...unless Matsuri wants it."
"OK. How long you guys here?"
"I don't know. I never know. As long as you and Gaara'll let us stay I guess."
"Heh. Speaking of which you guys need to fill out some paperwork or something right?"
"Temari and Shikamaru got it. I think that guy's crushing on her...Naruto...you tell me if he does something wrong...I'll kill him."
"So I've been told. You shouldn't sound so scary, you'll creep Matsuri out."
"She's practically family, she's going to have to get used to my creepiness."
"Well...now that just sounded like something a pedophile would say. Meaning Matsuri has a reason to be scared."
"Shut up Naruto. You're making me sound like a freak."
"You don't need any help there, ha."
Kankuro left laughing. Naruto was laughing too. Then he remembered he now had to talk to Matsuri.
"So...you want the cot?"
"I'm OK, thanks."
"So...um...what do you do for fun."
"Train...with Gaara sensei..."
"Me too, ha."
"Wha..?"
"Nevermind. Well uh the shower is off me and Gaara's room and-"
Naruto realized what he'd just said and turned to see if Matsuri had caught it. Thank goodness she hadn't. He finished giving her a run down of all the utilities' locations. He was about to leave Matsuri when she spoke up.
"Hey Naruto...why is Gaara living here...?"
"Uh...be right back."
"Wait!"
But Naruto was already into the kitchen. Kankuro was sitting watching TV but Gaara was cooking.
"Gaara! Matsuri just asked why you live here! What do I say?"
"I knew this would happen...should I tell her now?"
"...I guess..."
"Damn it..."
Gaara walked to the back to find Matsuri unpacking her bag. She lit up when Gaara came in.
"Hey Sensei! Thanks for letting me stay with you!"
"Hey Matsuri...I've got something to tell you...sit."
He sat on the bed and patted the place next him.
"Temari and Kankuro already know but...I've got something to tell you."
Matsuri still looked extremely happy to see him. He was just looking at her face knowing she wasn't going to look like that for much longer. He opened his mouth to say something but Matsuri's lips stopped him. His eyes widened at the forced kiss Matsuri was giving him. He did his best to gently push her off as fast as he could.
"...What's wrong Sensei?"
"Matsuri...I do love you but you're like my sister...you don't kiss your sister."
"...Why couldn't you...?"
"Matsuri...I'm living with Naruto..."
"Yeah, so?"
"...Matsuri...I don't like women..."
"I know but you don't like many men either."
"No I mean...urg...I don't fall in love with women..."
"...You could..."
"No, Matsuri...I don't love women because I love men..."
"...What?"
"I'm gay...I live with Naruto because we didn't want a long distance relationship...that's why I haven't been living in the village...like I said Kankuro and Temari already know...I wanted to tell you myself...Matsuri?"
"...Oh...that sucks...n-not for you though...he's pretty good looking..."
"I'm sorry...I really am..."
"At least you told me before I made a COMPLETE idiot of myself."
"The other thing is...if you didn't tell people back home...that'd be great."
"I get it...I will as long as you keep what I just did a secret..."
"It was nice. Thanks Matsuri. You're my favorite student, ya know."
"I'm your only student."
"You'd still be my favorite."
He hugged her from the side very tightly and ruffled her hair some. She didn't seem too down but she didn't seem exceedingly happy. Matsuri finished up unpacking for her and Temari and Gaara walked back into the kitchen with Naruto. Naruto was still anxious.
"She's fine."
"Does she hate me?"
"I don't think so. Go talk to her."
"I don't know...seems kinda awkward..."
"Why?"
"Just is."
"Alright fine. She's almost done unpacking we can just take her and Kankuro out for lunch."
"What about Temari?"
"She's with Shika. Remember?"
"Oh yeah. OK fine but you'll be in charge of small talk OK?"
"OK OK. So where do you want to go?"
"Ask Matsuri and Kankuro."
"Kankuro doesn't care."
"Ask Matsuri."
"I think I'll let you."
"Come on Gaara. Why can't you?"
"If I don't make you talk to her you won't."
"So just out of curiosity...what would you do if Matsuri just had a deep seeded hatred for me?"
"She won't, now go ask!"
"...OK fine..."
Naruto reluctantly walked in to talk to Matsuri. He didn't really know why he was afraid to talk to her, it was probably because he figured she'd hate him by now. She was still kind of young, this was probably what being Naru's mentor would be like. This was his chance to get used to having someone like Matsuri around. But if she hated him, mentoring Naru might only bring up bad memories. He had to make Matsuri love him.
"Hey Matsuri!"
His eagerness had made Matsuri jump a little bit as she put the last of her things away. She stood up and was walking toward the doorway and Naruto.
"...Hey Naruto..."
"...We're all going to lunch. You get to pick."
"Well...I don't know any of the restaurants here."
"Oh. Right. Well uh...what kind of food do you feel like?"
"Any thing's fine."
"So...how bout barbeque?"
"Sounds good."
"Great!"
"OK..."
"...ok..."
"Mhm..."
"So uh...you sure you don't want the cot. I hear Temari kicks."
"No. I don't want to screw things up."
"No it's really not a problem."
"Really Naruto, I'm fine, but thank you."
"OK. Let's get going."
"Alright."
Naruto couldn't get Kankuro off the couch. They left him there with some instant ramen. Naruto didn't really care that Kankuro didn't feel like getting up it did however bother him that he was now stuck in the most awkward situation of his life. It didn't seem that way to Gaara and Matsuri who talked with Naruto about the sand the whole way over. Naruto was worried about severely embarrassing himself, something he was an expert at. Most people whom he embarrassed himself in front of ignored it but he wasn't sure about what Matsuri would do.
MEANWHILE (I haven't done a 'meanwhile' in a while...get it?...no?...okay*memeface*...don't know about ?...no?...okay...)
Temari and Shikamaru had sorted out all of this visiting papers. Normally those would've taken a full day but the Sand and the Leaf were on very good terms making everyone much more lenient. They were walking out of the hokage's office when Shikamaru offered to take her to lunch. She agreed and they found their way to Ichiraku's. They sat down, ordered their ramen, ate it and Shikamaru started walking her home.
"So how long are you staying this time?"
"I'm not sure. We had to bring Matsuri so probably not long."
"Oh..."
"It'll probably still be around 3 days though."
"Oh."
"What do you care?"
"I'm just enjoying your company is all. I'd hate to see it cut short."
"Really? Most people don't find me too enjoyable."
"I don't see why."
They had reached Naruto's apartment.
"We're here."
"So we are. I guess I'll see ya 'round then."
"Yea...hey-uh do you wanna maybe get dinner or something...?"
"...That sounds nice."
"I'll meet you at that barbeque place. 7:00?"
"So your not picking me up?"
"I just assumed with everyone here that'd be the last thing you want..."
"Oh. I guess your right...it's nothing against you it's just...Gaara and Kankuro can be...protective..."
"I get it. So 7:00?"
"7:00 it is."
Temari said bye to Shikamaru and walked in to Naruto's apartment, giddy with excitement. Shikamaru left too, trying to look as calm as he always was and failing miserably.