:O Over a hundred reviews? T.T You guys so rock... I love you guys... with a passion. X3
Beta: Ugawa
Notes: Not my characters, NaruGaa, AU, yaoi, lemons, I fucked with the ages big time, prostitution, A grown up Naruto who is kinda cool (which I love more than anything), some OOC-ness and a tiny bit of a love triangle.
Chapter Eight
-Gaara-
Getting Naruto up the next day was going to be a chore. I knew that as soon as I woke up that morning. It was one of those rare Saturday's he had to work, and he'd gotten to sleep later than normal. I blushed. He didn't go to bed until two in the morning because he'd waited up for me... A happy bliss washed over me before I quickly threw it away. The fact that he had done it could make me happy, but I was not going to turn into a girl over it. I crept into his room at the normal time and pushed him off the bed. He moaned after hitting the floor but just rolled over. I sighed and stepped down off the bed. "This is not gonna be good," I muttered.
I walked around and grabbed him by the leg, shaking it gently. "Naruto!" Luckily for me he sat up then, eyes still closed, face still stuck in sleep. I felt guilty.
"More sleep? Please?" he pleaded, sounding just like his child. I had to smile at that.
"Naruto. You've gotta get up. You have to leave here for work pretty soon."
He rose to his feet lazily, letting his head flop around. I turned around and walked out the door, the blond's loud footsteps right behind me. Smiling, I headed for the coffee pot and poured a cup for him, only to stop when I realized Naruto hadn't entered the room with me. I grabbed the coffee I'd just poured and retraced my steps. I stood at the living room door and smiled at the sight of the tall blond draped across the couch, head buried in the cushions, arm hanging over the edge with fingers dragging on the floor. The muscles of the bronzed, toned back shifted slightly as the man adjusted slowly, pulling his other arm out from underneath his body. My breath caught in my throat as I watched him... studying his movements. I bit my lip and shuddered in delight, thanking whatever entity that lived in the sky that Naruto slept shirtless.
I wasn't even sure how I could be so fascinated by his body. Each day it was a different thing. His neck, his arms, his chest, his abs, and now his back... Damn. He could probably hold his hand out in my face and I'd be stuck admiring it. Well, his fingers were nice and slender-- No. Stopping right there. I squeezed my eyes shut briefly and walked over to stand beside him. "Naruto. Come on you've gotta get up."
A stretched out, muffled 'no' made it's way to my ears, and I had to smile again. "Why's it so damn cold?" he asked sleepily.
"Maybe because you're not wearing a shirt." He groaned and stretched his limbs, popping a few joints, before rolling over to face me. His sapphire eyes were open and shining brightly at me, a lazy smile on his face. Again, all the air left my body at the sight of him. He studied me for moment, making heat rise to my face and heart jump in my chest. "What?" I asked quietly.
"You sure do make it hard to sleep." My eyes narrowed at his bright chirp, and I held the coffee cup up so he could see it. His smile grew and he reached for it, but I jerked it out of his reach at the last second, not spilling a drop. "Hey!" I raised an eyebrow at him and he chuckled. "Fine. I'm sorry! You're only doing your job! We'd be lost without you! Can I have the coffee now?" I eyed him, and he sighed. "You don't make it hard to sleep, and I'm a nitwit for even saying it." I smiled and handed him the mug. He laughed and took a drink as I stood and walked away. "Evil kid..."
"I do try." I called over my shoulder with a smile, blushing as his amazing laugh followed me.
-
"Naruto, I was wond-- You're... not Naruto..." I stared at the man in the doorway dumbly. He was an older male, skin almost as tanned as the blond's, a scar running across his nose and dark brunet hair pulled back in a ponytail. He shook his head slightly and smiled at me. "Uh, is Naruto around?"
"He's at work, but I--" I was cut off by an excited three-year-old running past me and embracing the man.
"Wuuka!" Konohamaru cried.
The man knelt down and patted the little boy on the head. "Hey, little man, how've you been?" The toddler beamed up at him, and I smiled as he began chattering away. I moved away from the door and let the brunet be dragged into the apartment. Moments later when Konohamaru ran away to go get something, he turned to me with a smile. "I'm Iruka Umino. I live just across the hall."
"Gaara Sabaku. Konohamaru's nanny." I nodded and took the offered hand.
He smiled at me and held up a bowl. "I actually came by to ask for a cup of flour. Kakashi hadn't told me we were out." I nodded again and lead the way to the kitchen. "I didn't know the kid hired a new babysitter for little one." I smiled at the blond being called a kid instead of me. "How long have you been working here?"
"Two weeks," I answered, pouring flour into the bowl and handing it back to him.
"Ah. That's right, I've seen you around the building before. How do--"
"Where gween ball, mama?" Both Iruka and I flushed at Konohamaru's loud call. He excused himself and left quickly. As soon as the door was shut, I breathlessly ran to the toddler's bedroom. He was standing by his toy box when I entered, hands over his mouth and paler than a sheet of paper. So he knew he'd just made a no-no... "I sowwy, Gaawa! I sowwy." I knelt down in front of him and took a deep breath, trying to piece together what I should say. When that failed horribly, I decided to wing it.
"I know you're sorry, baby, but you've got to remember..." I faltered, not knowing where to go from there. I knew I had to go through with it. I had to... "I can't be your mama." Silence enveloped us, a stinging sorrow stabbing at me from the look in his eyes. Several seconds passed before he said something I didn't know how to reply to.
"Bu why? Why Gaawa can' be mama?" His eyes peered into mine and held them desperately. There were tears in those chocolate brown orbs, and I could feel the need to cry spring within me. I searched my mind quickly and blurted out the first thing that sounded like it could get through to him.
"Because only girls can be mama's."
"Guls?" His little eyebrows creased together and bottom lip jutted out in thought.
"Yes, girls. And I'm a boy... like you and papa. So I can't be a mama."
A minute passed, and I thought I'd finally made sense to him, but his next statement knocked the wind out of me. "You can be my mama anyway..." I stared at the little boy in front of me, my mouth hanging open and that need to cry smacking me in the face again. I had to blink several times to keep the tears from escaping. I closed my eyes against his pleading gaze and tried to gather myself together. His words resounded in my head and lifted me happily. I couldn't even push that happiness away if I'd tried. Such an innocent statement from a child that couldn't possibly understand what he'd given me by saying those words. I caught myself before I could whisper the words I wanted to say. 'I'd be your mama if I could.'
Instead I went with, "It doesn't work that way, Konohamaru. It just doesn't work that way."
-
"We're having a party tomorrow." Naruto announced a week later.
I stared over at the blond, mouth open slightly, frozen where I'd been kneeling to place the groceries in the fridge. "Huh?" I asked.
"I'm turning twenty one tomorrow."
"Oh."
He smiled at me from his place by the sink. "It'll just be a few of my friends. No drinking or anything wild. I don't allow that kind of thing around Konohamaru, as you know. They wouldn't let me blow this one off like I usually do." My eyebrows scrunched together. He never told me is birthday was coming up, I mean, I knew when Konohamaru's was, but Naruto's had remained a mystery until that moment. His smile dropped a bit but didn't leave entirely. "I wanted to ask if you'd like to come. You don't have to, I know it's your night off and we've been pretty much monopolizing all your time, but I'd really like it if you wanted to come." I stared into those crystal-blue eyes and cursed. His words had made me breathless again. His eyes shifted from mine and he bit his lip, which made me have to kill a moan that wanted to escape my throat. "You don't have to. I just wanted to ask."
I shook my head to clear the thoughts that I shouldn't be having and gave him a soft smile. "I'll be there."
"Really?" I felt the need to shield my eyes as his smile seemed to become blinding. His long legs brought him to my side in seconds, his large hands covering mine as he pulled me to my feet. "Really? You'll come?" I nodded, my face fighting off a smile and a blush all at once. Why did he have to look so damn happy over something so trivial? It was fucking with my head, screwing with my heart. I wanted to call him an idiot and pull away, but his insane look of happiness kept me rooted to the spot. "Awesome. Sasuke and Lee have been asking about you. Actually, all of my friends have been asking about you... and I guess it doesn't help when Kiba says I'm hiding you on purpose. One of these days I'm going to have to kill him for real." Most of what he said was lost on me. I was much too focused on the warmth of his hands on mine.
I was so amazed at their size, their warmth, the way they managed to be soft despite the calluses that covered the fingers and palms. I knew he had no idea what he was doing to me by the simple amount of physically contact, but I wasn't going to tell him. No. Because if I told him how it made my heart beat faster, how it made my breathing hitch, I'm sure he'd never do it again, and that thought didn't sit well in my stomach. It seemed like he'd been avoiding my eyes all week and he only touched me out of necessity. I hated it.
"Up?" I looked over at the sound of Konohamaru's voice. The tiny brunet reached for his papa, stretching up on his tip toes, fingers stretching as far as they could go. Naruto laughed brightly and released his hold on my hands, lifting his son into the air. Big, brown eyes peeked back at me shyly. "Gaawa hug?" I raised my arms out to take the child from Naruto's arms, but the little hands wouldn't let go to the blond's shirt.
"You've got to let go of me if you want a hug from Gaara." Naruto told the toddler gently.
"I wan hug fom bof papa an Gaawa." The little boy nuzzled his nose in his papa's chest, while a hand reached back for me blindly. "Lie at store. Bof papa an Gaawa." I cursed silently and took a step back. Naruto raised an eyebrow at me, blue eyes asking the question. I shook my head and his head tilted slightly, looking more and more perplexed. "Peas?"
"Not right now okay, baby. Maybe later." Naruto kissed the top of his head, squeezed him close and set him on his feet. "Why don't you go get your coat and shoes so we can go rent a movie. Yeah?" The little boy stared up at the blond, his little lips stuck in a pout. Sapphire eyes caught mine and he gave me a 'what the hell?' look. I just shook my head again as Konohamaru turned around, gave my legs a big squeezing hug as I patted his back gently before he ran to his room. "Okay, now, what happened at the store?"
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "When we were shopping this morning, a woman was holding a baby... and her boyfriend, or husband, or whatever, came up and hugged them both. You know, with the child in between them. Konohamaru got really excited when he saw it." His eyes fell to the floor. "I guess I know why now." One of his hands raised and he bit his thumbnail absently, golden bangs falling into his eyes. I'd already told him about what had happened the Saturday he'd had to work, and the same atmosphere from that time settled around us once more. I shifted awkwardly in the silence. I used to love the absence of sound, even when I'd been a child silence had been comforting to me, but ever since I'd lived with the little family I had come to hate it. It just didn't feel right here. It didn't belong in their home.
"You were right." The deep, blue eyes met mine again, freezing me in place.
"About what?"
"I should've been a bit more worried about the m-a-m-a incident. I think he might be--"
"I's done!" Konohamaru shouted, running into the kitchen, sliding to a stop in front of his papa on his socks. I opened my mouth to scold him, but I snapped it shut, figuring I shouldn't try to assert authority when the blond was home. It wasn't my place to warn him about doing something dangerous like that. Naruto just laughed and took the offered shoes, making the little boy sit on the floor while he put them on for him. "Rice? Peas? Wif hot stuff!" My eyebrows came together. I usually understood Konohamaru so well, but that had been gibberish to me. His papa flashed me a smile when he caught the look on my face.
"I guess we're having Thai tonight." He lifted the three-year-old and cradled him in his arms as he walked up to me. I was going to ask him what he was doing when he handed the small brunet to me and grabbed his coat from the counter, slipping it on quickly. My heart fluttered when the large hands that held mine so easily brushed against my arms gently when he reached out and took his son.
My eyes fell to the floor. What was with me? Why did each little touch make me want to cry? Naruto made such weird reactions spread throughout me at every simple brush of the skin. Happiness filled my heart while a strong despair pulled me away. It was like hearing all your dreams were coming true and everything you'd ever wanted was right before you... but it all belonged to someone else. You could see it, hear it, smell it, but you could never touch it, you could never have it. I hated it so much. I'd spent the last week wanting him to touch me, while hoping he'd never touch me again at the same time. I was so full of contradictions. I could do nothing but stand still and listen to them, for where do you go when part of you wants to go up, but the other says to stay down? Forward, back. Left, right. Nothing was left to do anymore. It felt like I was trapped with no way out.
"Gaawa!" I snapped back to reality as a chubby hand waved around in front of my face. The two Uzumaki's were staring at me in confusion. I bit my lip and gave the look right back at them.
Naruto laughed. "I didn't think it was that hard of a question."
My shoulders drooped a bit more. "What?" Konohamaru tilted his head to the side and gave me a soft smile. I cringed under his gaze. His eyes seemed to scream that he knew what was going on inside of me, though I knew that couldn't be true. It was like he knew what I had been thinking, like he could feel all the conflicting emotions in me. I gulped and refused to take the step back that I really wanted to take. His little hand lifted and he clumsily pushed a lock of hair out of my eyes, patting my cheek when he'd finished. I smiled and his grew.
"Uh... I asked if you wanted to come with us." My eyes raised to his papa's, that little act calming me down somehow.
"Sure, let me go get my jacket." I smiled and walked around them. I don't know why, but that soft, caring touch made all my worries melt away. Maybe it was foolish, but it seemed to tell me not to worry, because it would work out on its own. There was no reason to panic over every little thing. I should take what they gave, give what I could without crossing those lines, and leave it at that.
-Naruto-
I was struck into stupidity by an amazingly breathtaking look of peace that settled on Gaara's face after my little one brushed a few soft strands of that beautiful, crimson hair from his face. It was like they had communicated in those few seconds, like something had been passed between them that took away the frightened and confused look in the teen's eyes since this morning. A soft shudder rolled through my body, and goosebumps raised on my arms. I was amazed at the way he and Konohamaru were bonding. It just seemed to grow between them as the days passed and it made me breathless with each incident. The three-year-old in my arms wiggled around to look up at me with a smile on his face. I returned it and kissed his forehead.
"I'm ready." I looked over at the sound of his voice, my smile just grew. The look of peace from the moment between he and my son was still on his face, making his skin seem to glow slightly and his eyes shine. How could anyone blame me for being attracted to him?
We walked to the video store a few blocks away, Konohamaru resting in my arms while one little hand hung onto Gaara's, jabbering away about spicy rice. I stayed quiet for the most part, just listening to the two interact. When we walked into the store the two walked towards the kids' movies and I headed for new releases automatically, like it was all routine... I had to pause when the redhead's laugh made its way to my ears. A frown marred my face when I realized I didn't hear that sound much. A fluttering feeling always made its way through me whenever I did hear it, though. Its soft gentle sound was something I adored.
"Idiot." I shook my head and grabbed something from the shelf blindly. "I hate you and your stupid feelings." I muttered to the organ that stupidly reacted to everything the teen did. Something moved in my peripheral vision, and I turned to see an older man staring at me like I'd lost my mind. I smiled sheepishly and retreated down the aisle, feeling like a moron.
"Papa!" Konohamaru jumped around my legs, a DVD held high above his head. "Dis one! I lie dis one!"
I grabbed it from him, looking at it briefly before raising an eyebrow to look at my toddler. "You're kidding."
"I told you he was going to say that." Gaara laughed lightly, standing a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest.
"No, you say he laugh." Konohamaru hopped his way over to his nanny, pouncing on the thin legs when he got close enough. The teen wobbled a bit, hands flying out awkwardly as he started to tip. I grabbed his sleeve and held him steady until he found his balance, laughing loudly at the face he'd made. Konohamaru's giggles joined mine seconds later and he removed himself from the legs and latching onto mine. "Peas get dat one, papa?" I made my 'I'm thinking about it' face for a second and consented. The toddler shouted for joy, and the woman next to us laughed.
"But, I swear on every piece of clothing I own, if you ever want me to rent a Barbie movie, I'll lock myself in my room for two weeks." I smiled placing the movie with the one I'd gabbed.
Gaara smirked. "Sounds good. Come on Konohamaru, let's go see if they have Rapunzel."
"We're leaving!" I laughed, grabbing them both by the backs of their shirts and dragging them to the counter.
-
We were halfway through Tinkerbell when the tiny brunet fell asleep beside me, food half eaten in front of him on the coffee table. I smiled and picked a sauce covered noodle off my chest. "Gaara, could you change this before I bash my head in." He nodded, popped the other movie into the player and went back to his spot on the other side of the room. I fought the urge to laugh. I understood the distance thing, but he was taking it to an extreme.
We had been halfway home after picking up the food, when Konohamaru made a demand that froze us both. "Papa, hol Gaawa's hand." When we both refused, he'd began to cry. "Why? Why no?" He pointed to a couple with a small child across the street. "They hol hand." That crushed me. How was I supposed to explain that the people across the street were a family and the three of us were not? That Gaara wasn't his mama? I fumbled for words uselessly. It had to be done, but I couldn't bring myself to crush him like that.
Gaara saved me from saying what needed to be said in the worst way he could have. His hand grabbed my jacket sleeve tentatively. Konohamaru seemed to see it as the best he was going to get from us and quieted. For the rest of the walk home, his wide, brown eyes stared at the pale hand gripping at my coat gently. I knew I shouldn't have allowed it. I knew we should've stopped and put the 'mama' idea to rest. But I was too focused on that hand as well.
I was snapped back to reality when the redhead snorted. I looked over at him, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. He shook his head. "I don't understand how you two end up wearing most of your food." I looked down and found sauce speckling my shirt randomly, a stray noodle laying in my lap, and smiled.
"I don't know. I don't understand a guy that can eat take-out straight from the box without getting it on his shirt and face." I grinned, meeting his eyes. He stared at me silently for a moment then did the thing that made my stomach flutter in excitement.
Gaara smiled.
Gaara laughed...
The sound caused a shiver to roll down my back and made me feel weightless. It was something I hadn't felt in a long time, and it worried me to no end. How could I do this? I shouldn't be feeling this... I shouldn't be feeling this for him. When his face lit up in a smile, it should make me happy, but not giddy. When he connected and had a moment with my child, it should make me feel content, not awestruck... not feel like it was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. Being around him should not take my breath away, but still it did. I swallowed nervously when he licked his lips and pulled his knees to his chest, looking like he was making himself at home on the love seat. Whenever Kiba did that I could honestly say I felt nothing, but when Gaara did it... it was like a weird sense of right spread through me. Because this was his home.
I turned my eyes back to the TV. No. This really wasn't his home, I knew nothing about his real home. And we were not his family, no matter how Konohamaru saw it. I knew I should bring up the incident from earlier. I knew we should talk about it and why he gave in, but I couldn't open my mouth to say anything. Gaara helped me clean up and put the food away after the movie that I'd randomly grabbed ended before saying goodnight and slipping off to his room. As he disappeared into the dark, something screamed at me to bring him back out, to talk about the feelings boiling away inside me rationally, to talk about what had happened earlier, but I blocked it out and returned to the living room to take my little one to bed.
-
"I will fucking kill you." I growled into the phone the next morning, careful to keep my voice unheard by my three-year-old who loved to mimic any bad word I let slip out around him. "Kill you and hang you by your intestines out my window as a warning to the entire world to not cross me. I will bathe in your blood with glee and eat your black heart for a fucking snack."
Sasuke snorted. "Glad to see your threats are getting more imaginative."
"That's all your influence, my dear." I smirked. "But it's more of a promise of what I'll do to you if you do hire a male stripper for tonight. I don't even want a party."
"Then just agree to go out with us. Only an hour, I promise. One beer as a legal adult and that'll be it. Even Kiba agreed to let you slide away with that."
"Sasuke..." I growled.
"It's an Uchiha promise, dobe. You can't get a better guarantee then that. We'll leave after Konohamaru goes to sleep. One beer and you'll be free to leave. I'm sure your Gaara could handle it." I frowned. My onyx eyed friend had started calling the teen 'your Gaara' for the the past week and it was beginning to annoy me to no end while still managing to make be blush like a moron. "You do realize that if you don't agree now, you'll be bothered by everyone about it all night until you do. It will be one beer and, with your high alcohol tolerance, it won't even phase you."
I sighed and hung my head. He had already begun convincing me at 'Uchiha promise' and I was weakening as he went on. I hadn't had a drink in so long... and I missed going out. Only a little bit, but still I missed it. "One. At the bar down the street from where I live. We'll walk there, I'll have one beer and walk home thirty seconds after we sit down at the bar." He let out a soft chuckle.
"And that is all we ask."
"Only if Gaara says he doesn't mind."
"I doubt that will be a problem."
"Shut up, teme. I'm telling you now. I will not enjoy it. I will hate every second I'm there." I lied so well I almost convinced myself.
"I don't care, you'll still be out of the house." There was a soft click, and I knew the bastard had hung up on me.
-Gaara-
I expected the blond's friends to be a loud group, and they were not ones to disappoint.
The first one I met was a young man named Lee... Five seconds after being introduced I wanted to kick him in the head. How anyone could shout so much about nothing was beyond me. With his weird haircut, eyebrows, and outfit, I was willing to bet he had to work in a circus, so when Naruto told me Lee worked with him I was surprised. What an odd person. It took me exactly one minute and twelve seconds to remember where I recognized him from. He was in one of the pictures in the living room, baby Konohamaru in his arms. When he walked away to pick up the toddler, Naruto leaned over and whispered, "I know what you're thinking and no, you don't ever really get used to his unique personality, you just like him because of it."
Hinata and Kiba showed up moments after Lee, another male from the pictures with them. His light irises told me he must've been related to the young woman on Kiba's arm. His name was Neji and, indeed, he was Hinata's cousin. His pale skin, delicate build and long, brown hair should've made him look very feminine, but his body language screamed masculinity. It was actually kind of intimidating the way he held himself, like he was far superior to the rest of the world, but when he smiled at the three-year-old gently, all that icy exterior melted away and he was just a regular collage student.
Ino came with two men that Naruto introduced as Shikamaru and Chouji. The first looked so bored I wondered what was keeping him from leaving. His hair was pulled up in a ponytail that flared out and made me want to laugh a little. Chouji was a loud, heavy set frat boy... or at least he seemed like it. The first thing he did when he'd walked into the apartment was grab Naruto in a headlock then give me a strong slap on the shoulder. I fought the urge to retaliate and walked as far from him as I could.
A lean brunette ran in seconds after Ino and her group arrived carrying bags of food I was sure rarely entered this house. She introduced herself as Tenten as we put the food out on the table. Her personality was bright and her voice strong. I liked her. The neighbors, Iruka and Kakashi, came over as well, Iruka joining Tenten, Hinata, Konohamaru and I in the kitchen while his silver haired boyfriend disappeared into the living room with others.
I was uncomfortable to say the least. I didn't really know anyone other than Hinata, Ino, Kiba and the neighbors, and I felt severely out of place. I was pouring juice into a sippy cup for Konohamaru and making small talk with Iruka when Naruto came into the room loudly. "Damn it, Sasuke! He's right in here." I looked over my shoulder as the blond stopped next to me. A slim male with jet black hair stood a few feet away, his dark, black eyes studying me. "Gaara, this is Sasuke. He's a bastard. Sasuke, Gaara." The man eyed me carefully, hands in his pockets, body leaning back, head lifted high. He looked like someone with a superiority complex the size of the entire block. I could tell right away I disliked him, and when he opened his mouth to speak that dislike only grew.
"He looks like a domesticated kitten." He smirked when I glared and tilted his head back. I opened my mouth to snap at him, but Naruto cut me off.
"What?" He looked ready to laugh. "What does that mean?"
"If you don't know, I'm certainly not going to tell you." He snorted and turned to leave the room.
"He means I look like a plaything made into a housewife." I muttered angrily. I'd heard that term plenty of times. A whore finds a man who wants her to be, or she tries to be, the picture perfect June Clever for him. Usually used for little, club hopping beach bunnies, but occasionally a prostitute as well. It wouldn't have bothered me so much if the term wasn't usually associated with abusive men. Naruto stiffened beside me and a soft growl started in his throat. I looked up and nearly dropped the sippy cup I'd just filled when I noticed he was glaring at his friend.
"Can I have a word, Sasuke?" The raven haired man looked just as surprised as I did and followed the blue eyed man from the room.
"Ooh! Sasuke's in trouble." Tenten snickered beside me as I handed the juice to the three-year-old. Iruka and Hinata laughed as well. I looked up at them, confused as to why it was so funny.
"He deserves it." Iruka stated from his place by the sink. "I can't believe he said that."
"I think Sasuke has a problem with not thinking before he speaks just like Naruto, only he can get away with it because of the way he talks," Hinata mumbled, staring into her cup.
"Why would he be in trouble?" I was confused. I mean, other than the June Clever crap, it was pretty much true. The three stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "What?" Tenten sighed and leaned against the refrigerator.
"Haven't you noticed? Naruto's pretty protective of you." Hinata smiled up at me.
-
"Hey, there you are. Thought you'd disappeared on me, kid." I smiled up at the blond man as he walked into Konohamaru's room, swinging the door slightly closed behind him.
I turned back to the sleepy toddler, picking up the pajama shirt. "Arms up." He did so half-heartedly, and I slipped it over his head. "No, he was getting tired so I thought I'd dress him for bed. I was actually just about to go find you." I pulled the hem down and lifted the toddler gently. The tiny brunet let out a small sigh and cuddled up to my chest, hands grabbing at my shirt.
Naruto leaned forward and kissed the wild, brown hair gently, leaving me breathless at the close proximity to my face. Konohamaru made a soft noise of contentment and buried his face further into my shirt. The blond smiled softly. "Why don't you carry him to bed. I don't think I want to move him just yet." I nodded, not trusting my voice. We walked to the room together, Naruto following so close behind me that I could feel the heat of his chest on my back. I blushed when the urge to lean back into his arms came over me and quickened my pace a bit.
When I got to the side of the bed, I moved to put the child down, but Naruto's hands on my shoulders stopped me instantly. The gentle hands moved me back and forth softly, rocking both the child and I gently, as he began to sing softly. The lullaby was soothing, gentle, relaxing, and I almost fell asleep right there. It was amazing how Naruto's gruff voice could mellow out and lift, making it the center of my world for one brief moment. I loved when he sang to his child, there was always so much love in his voice... It made every part of my body react, with the exception of my happy area, but I'm sure if he sung the right words I wouldn't stand a chance. Konohamaru's soft snore moments later brought me back to earth, and I laid him down, pulling the blankets over his small form, before I practically ran out of the room.
As I stepped through the door, I smacked right into Sasuke. I rubbed my shoulder with a scowl. Had he been watching us? Did it matter? I reminded myself. Nothing really happened. Onyx eyes watched me for a moment and a small smile spread out across his face. It wasn't like the smirk from earlier or the haughty smiles I'd seen on his face all night. No. This one was gentle... like something had made him happy. I brushed it off. "Sorry, I didn't see you there."
He didn't answer. His thin fingers reached out, grabbed my wrist and proceeded to drag me back to the living room. I started to protest but as he dragged me past Kiba and Hinata he muttered, "Stall him," and continued to the other side of the room. He smirked and pushed me against the wall gently. "Stay still." The raven haired man leaned down towards me, his hair brushing my face. "Don't worry I'm not going to do anything." His onyx eyes rolled at my discomfort. "I just want to see what happens. Nod your head." I did, but only because I was too shocked to do much else. He chuckled lowly. "Now glance around the room uncomfortably."
I sighed and did as he asked. "Tell me why I'm doing this." I hissed out.
"Ah. The anger's good. Use it a bit more."
"That shouldn't be a problem." I snapped.
He placed his pale hand above my shoulder on the wall. "Don't get snippy. I want to see if what I've been hearing has some solid ground to build on. Now cross your arms over your chest and glare at me." I crossed my arms, but my glare was already there. He laughed again. "Kiba told me some things I didn't quite believe until tonight... I'm honestly trying to help." He smirked down at me, and I heard the blond man talking from somewhere behind the pale man's head. "How do you feel about Naruto? I'm talking about romantically of course."
I blushed. "Oh, I didn't tell you?"
An eyebrow raised and his smirk fell a bit. "No."
"Then it must be none of your god damn business."
He stared at me momentarily before his mouth fell open and he laughed. "Either you've been around Naruto too long or your personality is very similar to his." That felt like a compliment, and I fought off a smile. "Did you know Naruto and I dated for a few months back in collage?" I stared up at him, mouth falling open slightly. "Yes. For about six weeks. It didn't really work out obviously. I don't really know what happened, but we just weren't as compatible as we thought... though the sex was amazing." He grinned, and I felt my stomach clench in jealousy. "Okay, huff and look away for a few seconds. When he broke it off, I was kind of angry. I avoided him... didn't take his calls... Then they just stopped and I was even angrier. Kiba called me a month later and told me his parents had died." He frowned.
"My fury grew, but this time it was directed at myself." He shifted and asked me to look back at him, which, for some reason, I did. "I sat down and thought about it after I received the call. Apparently nobody had heard from him or seen him since the accident... but he had called me for three days after it happened... and I never picked up the phone." He bit his lip and stared me straight in the eye.
"We finally patched our friendship together a year ago, but I've always felt regret about what I had done... and I vowed to make it up to him in anyway I could." He reached up and touched my arm. "Don't be that way, kitten. I'd show you a good time," he said suddenly, voice losing it's misery in an instant, his lips rising in a smirk.
"Excuse me, teme. Gaara, can I talk to you for a moment?" I jumped when Naruto's voice sounded out from behind the onyx eyed man. Sasuke smiled and quirked an eyebrow, before turning to look at the blond. I was surprised by the look on his face... it was slightly angry.
"Of course you can borrow him for a second, dobe. Just make sure you return him to me when you're done." Fury coursed through me at his words. What a fucking bastard! The only thing that stopped me from reaching out and punching the prick was Naruto's hand on my arm as he began softly pulling me away from the smiling brunet.
My anger festered a bit as he led me to my room wordlessly, and I felt ready to burst, but all of my emotions died when the door closed and he turned to face me. His face burned with some emotion I couldn't quite place. It made the soft, sky blue of his eyes darken and seem to smolder as our eyes connected. My breath was sucked from me, and I actually heard myself gasp trying to take it back in. "Let me guess. That bastard was hitting on you, right?" He growled out, his voice so low it forced a shiver down my spine. I quirked an eyebrow and shook my head. He frowned and bit the tip of his thumb, giving a soft 'Hm'.
-Naruto-
I frowned. It had certainly looked and sounded like Sasuke was hitting on the redhead... and that Gaara didn't appreciate it at all. But I had been trapped by Kiba and Hinata before I could get to them and had to talk with them for a few minutes before rushing to help him out. I tried, and failed, to keep my anger out of my voice. It really pissed me off to see the suave Uchiha trying to pick up the young man. I had wanted him away... I wanted him very far away from Gaara.
I gazed into teal eyes that screamed confusion and felt lust rise in my body. What was it about him? What was it that made me want him so much? I rolled my eyes internally. It was everything about him. His voice, his face, his hair, his body, his shy looks, his personality. All of it called to me, called to my body. And I knew fully well my body responded... but now it was calling to my heart. It was no longer lust... it was something deeper. "Naruto?" His voice reached my ears but didn't really connect.
I had been jealous... Jealous that Sasuke could easily admit he wanted the boy when I could barely think it without feeling slightly guilty, without my brain coming up with a million reasons why I shouldn't want the redhead in front of me. I was jealous that Sasuke could reach out and touch the young man without hesitation. I felt heat rise to my face. Why couldn't I do that? Why?
His hands burned on my forearms, and his slim waist fit perfectly in my hands, warming them as well. When had my hands moved? I knew I should let him go. I had to get my hands off of him. I couldn't do it, of course. Of all the times my body could've chosen to disregard my brain, it had to have been then. Of course, when we were alone, when my thoughts were getting away from me... when he just looked so fucking... He bit that perfect curve of his bottom lip and goosebumps appeared over my body, my breathing almost stopped.
I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to so badly. I swallowed nervously, inching closer slowly. His teeth released his lip and his tongue swiped across them. My heart kicked into over drive at the sight. This was fine. This was okay. It wasn't wrong to want him, and I did want him... I wanted him. Teal eyes locked onto mine and the pale body in my hands began to shake. I froze. Was I scaring him? 'Oh god, what am I doing?' I screamed at myself internally. 'Let him go!' The hands on my arms squeezed slightly.
"Naruto, Kakashi wan-" My head snapped to the door as Ino came to a complete stop, mouth falling open. My hands dropped hastily, and I jumped away from the redhead.
"Uh, Ino... What'd you want?" I walked over to her quickly, putting distance between me and Gaara as quickly as I could.
"Oh, god. I so suck. Worst timing ever. Just go about your business, and I'll tell him you're busy." The blonde woman blushed and ran from the room. I watched her go and tried to gather the courage to turn around, and nearly jumped out of my skin when Gaara cleared his throat behind me.
"They're probably ready to go out now." I nodded and left the room, still unable to look at him. Ino looked guilty as I joined the group in the living room, most slipping on their coats and looking excited. Sasuke looked a little miffed but didn't say anything. I felt Gaara walk up behind me, stopping a few feet away, but I couldn't bring myself to look at him. I'd just done something so incredibly stupid and insensitive... God. He was sure to hate me forever... or at least be uncomfortable around me for a while. All right after I just got over my guilt of whacking off to thoughts of him, too. Someone up above absolutely loathed me...
"Okay, so who's all going to the bar?" Several people whooped loudly as the words left my lips and in the end only Hinata, Kakashi and Iruka were staying behind. I smiled at them and turned to look at the teal eyed teen, but he was busy picking up empty cups and putting food away. My shoulders drooped a bit, and I turned back to my friends. Shikamaru looked back and forth, eyes darting from Gaara to me in seconds, a small grin tilting the corners of his lips. I raised an eyebrow and looked back at the redhead again. This time the beautiful eyes were on me. I smiled as my heart raced. "I'll be back in thirty minutes, an hour at the most."
He waved as hands began pulling me towards the door. "Have fun." I smiled again, playing dead weight in the hands dragging me away and getting several groans and protests as a result. But the reaction that stuck out the most was Gaara's laugh. My heart was still fluttering nervously against my ribcage as we walked out into the chilly November air. Had anyone else noticed how beautiful Gaara's face was when he laughed? Or how breathtaking that laugh was? Did they like him? It wasn't until we were halfway to the bar did Tenten finally bring the teen up.
"Gaara seems like a doll."
"Oh, he is." Kiba agreed, throwing an arm across my shoulders. "It's pretty hilarious to watch him and Naruto together."
"Little one just adores him!" Ino shouted from behind me. "They get along so well, and it's so cute!"
"He's not that bad to look at either." I glared as Sasuke smirked. I tried to push it away. It wasn't my place to get jealous... Gaara wasn't mine... I couldn't claim him...
"What did you call him? A painted kitty?"
"No, domesticated kitten." My glare intensified. I really wanted to punch my raven haired friend right then and there, but I held it in... We ended up having somewhat of a shouting match in the stairwell. Somewhat because I was the one shouting and he was the one just smirking at me. It wasn't until I saw him flirting with the teen in the living room did I remember that fucking smirk. Even walking into the bar with my friends, I had no idea what it could've been about.
As soon as I walked through the door, I knew I'd have to use all my willpower to shut it off after one drink. The corny music, the overactive friends, the bad beer... it all just reminded me of the older days, the younger days. Someone pushed a bottle into my hand as soon as I found a stool at the bar. I felt several pairs of eyes on me as I raised the bottle to my lips. I grinned and paused before tipping it. Kiba punched me in the arm, and I laughed before taking a swig of the foul tasting liquid. A big cheer went through the crowd around me, and I laughed, making a face. "I used to like this shit?"
"And a curse! Fuck yeah!" Kiba shouted, hopping up and down like a toddler on a sugar high. Toddler... What was I doing? I needed to get back home. This is what the old me liked... the new me didn't like it at all. I wanted to get back to my boys. I stared at the bottle in my hands and felt guilt press down on me, but I smiled for the friends around me. They laughed and scattered about, still near me but no longer so close I couldn't breathe. I sighed and took another drink before wishing I hadn't.
I turned when Sasuke snorted in amusement beside me. "You do remember you're only obligated to stay for one beer, right?" I smiled at him.
"Don't worry about it."
"Can't help it. You look like a lost puppy."
I scrunched my nose and glared at him. "I do not..."
"I have a question."
"As long as you aren't asking me permission to date Gaara, ask away."
He laughed. "Mighty protective of him, aren't we?"
I glared at him and felt my face heat up with a blush which I tried to hide by swallowing another large mouthful of beer. "Shut up. He's like another brother to me."
He returned my glare. "Were you seriously this dense when we dated?" My eyebrows raised in surprise. He sounded genuinely pissed at me. "Seriously? You know, it was a good thing I thought you were hot back then, otherwise I would've killed you long ago." I took another large drink, cheering internally when I noticed it was nearly gone. "Why do you bother trying to delude yourself? It's so obvious you like him."
The beer in my mouth was sprayed in a fine mist over everything in front of me. I wiped my mouth and smiled at the annoyed looking bartender apologetically before turning to face my friend. "What did... I do... It's not... What?"
He rolled his eyes in a very bored fashion. "Fess up. You like him. I know you know you like him. Just quit being a stubborn jackass and tell him." My face felt like it would melt from the heat rolling off it. "See. That face right there. I'm right."
"Shut up, bastard..." I growled, twisting the bottle around in my hands and watching the last bit of the alcohol swish around. "You make everything sound so black and white. Say something to him and blah blah blah, love love, smooch, happy fucking ending. Like it really works that way. Your forgetting one important thing, the other party has to be legal and willing. Gaara happens to be neither. We're good as we are... even if it's freaking hard to watch other men hit on him or stare at him when we're out and about. I mean, it's not like I'm super possessive or anything, you know that... it's just... knowing he's free to date whoever he wants and it could be anyone of those people who give him the eye, but not me. And then Konohamaru calls him mama and has these amazing moments with him. It just blows my mind and I want him to be mine even more, but then I go and do something stupid and he puts me at arms length. It's like drowning with no one to help me out, y'know?" I looked over to see the Uchiha smirking. "What?"
"It was my goal to just get you to admit you like him." He shook his head, his smile never leaving. "Damn, dobe, you're getting it."
My eyebrows came together in confusion. "Getting what?"
He heaved a sigh and flicked me a cigarette. I picked it up and lit it with the matches lying on the counter in front of me. "If you don't know, I'm certainly not going to tell you." I inhaled the smoke and glared over at him.
"Why is it I'm beginning to hate that phrase?" He laughed loudly and lit his own cigarette.
-Gaara-
I stretched and yawned before curling up on the couch. Cleaning up took barely ten minutes since Iruka, Kakashi and Hinata decided to stay behind and help. Though, Kakashi mostly just got in the way and asked random questions that I didn't really get. The three left fifteen minutes ago, Naruto and his friends almost forty. It didn't matter to me if he stayed out later. It was his birthday. If he deserved any day off, his birthday was certainly one. I stared at the cushion in front of my face and thought back to those ten minutes we'd been alone in my room.
A blush stained my face. For a moment it had seemed like he was going to kiss me. It was like he'd been jealous of what he thought he heard going on between Sasuke and I. I would have to tell him he got it all wrong when he got back, but just the thought that he might have been jealous made me want to sing. I figured it probably wasn't something like that, he probably thought I was putting the moves on his friend... I frowned as that thought passed through my mind, but his words came back and I smiled. No. I don't know what it had been, but that wasn't it.
I smiled like an idiot. So had he been about to kiss me? If so I was going to have to permanently damage Ino... if not... I owed the blonde woman my eternal gratitude.
I thought back on the second time Konohamaru called me mama. It was true what I'd thought at that time. If I could, I would be his mama. If Naruto said the word, I would give not second thoughts about loving the tiny brunet as my own... I already did, but then I could admit it. I wouldn't care if he called me mama. I wouldn't care if that made Kiba laugh. I wasn't sure how Naruto would react to it, but I imagine it wouldn't be negative. In fact, it'd probably be...
And with that my mind kind of wandered off into fantasy land for a few minutes.
The only thing that pulled me back was the front door opening and closing quietly. I wiped the 'adolescent girl' off my face and stood. Naruto walked into the living room a few minutes later, smelling faintly of alcohol and cigarettes. I smiled at him and moved to walk to my bedroom when a hand on my shoulder stopped me. It was a soft touch that made my heart pound, my legs to stop, and my head turned to him automatically. His eyes had darkened again, locking onto mine and forcing my lungs to quit working. "H-happy birthday, Naruto." I groaned internally as I stuttered and sounded like an idiot.
His smile grew. "Thanks, kid."
You know that one word that can make you feel insignificant? The one that makes you deflate automatically? You know, that one that can actually make you sorta pissed someone would say it to you? Well I'd have to say for me, coming from Naruto, 'kid' was that one word. It was like he was saying 'Hey there, squirt. You're too young slash immature for me.' I heaved a heavy sigh in my head, but gave him a smile and turned to go again. His hand gently held me where I was. I turned a questioning gaze up to him and was nearly swept off my feet by the look he gave me. Butterflies sprang to life in my stomach, and my heart felt like it was going to explode if it beat any faster.
"Naruto?"
It's amazing what one word can do, isn't it? The wrong word can destroy a moment before it even starts, but the right one... said in the right tone of voice, with the right amount of emotion, the right word could start something amazing...
His hand was on my cheek suddenly, and by the time I got that fact registered in my brain, his lips were on mine.
8D Don't get used to it. -Ooo! Ominous, right? Not really. Fail- Ha ha ha!! I can't believe I wrote 'happy parts'... What is wrong with me? I laughed like a moron when I wrote it and when I re-read it. Pfft. -is not a growned up lady- I'm not gonna change it though. No one remind me and we can put it all behind us. -snort-
Reviews tell me what you like... and make me happy... so review please!