Naruto heard a knock on his door followed by a calm, "May I come in?" from Gaara. He jumped up off the bed and quickly opened the door. Gaara walked in and shut the door. Naruto grinned at him. He opened his mouth to speak but Gaara walked closer to him. He could clearly see the kanji on his forehead that read 'love'. Gaara raised his hand halfway up towards Naruto but awkwardly brought it back down.
"Gaara?"
Gaara shifted his body and once again walked towards Naruto and stopped. Naruto wasn't sure what he was trying to do. Gaara's pale hand landed on Naruto's shoulder and simply patted him. He moved away a bit and stated, "It's nice to see you again."
Naruto laughed nervously, "You too, Gaara."
"Come, let's sit. Tell me why you're traveling with Sasuke."
Naruto plopped down on the bed while Gaara pulled up a chair beside him.
"It's not a big deal really, Gaara. Sasuke is one of my closest friends. I want to help him as long as he's not doing anything wrong."
"So what does he need supplies for?"
He smiled wide, "Ahaha...I don't exactly know. BUT I'm going to keep a close watch on him! I promise I'm going to bring him back home."
"I will trust your instincts Naruto. But be aware that if at any point I see him as a threat to my village, I must act as a leader and stand against him."
"Thanks, Gaara! I knew you would understand"
Gaara lay a hand over Naruto's for a split second, but quickly retracted it and looked away. Naruto reddened and mumbled, "It doesn't really bother me you know..."
Gaara stood up and walked towards another door.
"This door opens into my room. Don't hesitate to use it if you need anything."
"Oh, okay."
"I have some work I need to finish up. You should go check on Sasuke."
"Yeah, alright. I'll catch you later Gaara!"
Gaara exited through their connected door while Naruto walked back into the corridor.
After losing himself in the halls for a bit, Naruto finally found Sasuke's room. He didn't bother knocking and simply walked in. The first thing he saw upon entering was Sasuke clad only in a towel.
"Jeez, Sasuke, mind putting on some clothes?"
Irritated, Sasuke replied, "Can't you knock?"
"Well, I didn't think you would be naked."
"I just showered, didn't you?" He walked into the restroom to get dressed. Naruto looked embarrassed and thought back on his talk with Gaara. "Could he smell me?!"
Sasuke emerged, fully dressed in Uchiha attire. "What did you want anyway?"
"OH. I was gonna ask if you wanted to go get those supplies you needed."
"I wouldn't have thought you'd want to do that now. But that's fine. You can introduce me to your girlfriend while we're out."
"Ohhhh I don't know about that. I should call first plus it's late now and she'll be bothered if I show up unannounced let's just wait on that."
Sasuke smirked. "What kind of girlfriend would be upset to see her boyfriend who lives far away?"
"Well she's a busy girl! On second thought, I'm just gonna go sleep, I'm reaaally tired. Bye Sasuke!" He bolted out of the room without even giving Sasuke a chance to reply. "Whew!" he thought. Why did Sasuke even care to meet who he was dating in the first place?
Back in his room, Sasuke thought happily on how he'd made Naruto nervous and scurry away. He got ready and headed out for replacing equipment. Meanwhile, Naruto was hurrying back to his own room.
After arriving, he paced around nervously. He wondered how long he could keep Sasuke believing that he really had a girlfriend. He mulled it over in the shower since he'd been really needing one after all his traveling.
After his shower, Naruto quickly grew bored of his room and tiptoed over to the shared door. He stared at it for a few moments contemplating whether or not he should bother the Kazekage. Quickly, he decided the silence in his room was too much for him and knocked.
"Come in."
Naruto quietly walked into the room and noticed Gaara wasn't working at all but laying wide eyed in bed.
"Are you done working?"
"Yes. What do you need?"
"Oh. Nothing. I can go if you want.."
Gaara changed his tone, "No, stay. I just meant...what's up..."
"OH. Well I wanted to ask for your help in something."
"Go ahead. You may sit if you like."
Naruto sat on the edge of Gaara's bed. Gaara sat up, Naruto's worried look worried him in turn.
Naruto shuffled and shifted in his spot and finally spoke again, "I told Sasuke I have a girlfriend in Suna." He grimaced.
Gaara's expression shifted to confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Before we got here, he was asking me if I was with anybody and I just blurted out yes without thinking, but then I didn't know what to say so I said I had a girlfriend here."
He relaxed himself, "That's ok, Naruto. I was worried."
"I'm sorry." He really did look like a sad little fox now. The whiskers on his face gave him such distinct features, Gaara could hardly look away.
"No..." Gaara moved next to him. "I'm glad I am still yours." He slowly lay his hand atop Naruto's causing him to blush slightly.
"You're not upset that I lied?" He turned to look at Gaara.
"No. I don't mind you keeping us from Sasuke. Especially since you're not positive about his intentions. But you should inform him that you have no girlfriend. He may get suspicious. You aren't the best liar."
Naruto scowled at that last remark but still looked for Gaara's comfort by leaning his head on his shoulder.
The two had been together since Naruto helped rescue Gaara. Because of the distance and Gaara's position as a Kage, they rarely spent any time together. Though much time had passed since they'd decided to be together, they were both still new to the ways of romance and affection. Both were awkward and didn't know which boundaries were okay to cross. For now, they both enjoyed these close encounters and slight touches of their hands.
After a while, Gaara felt Naruto's weight start to push further on him. He moved away and laid Naruto down on the bed. Luckily for him Naruto was a heavy sleeper and the movement didn't rouse him. He carefully unzipped and removed Naruto's jacket and slung it over a chair. Why someone would wear a jacket in Suna he couldn't comprehend. Gaara slowly moved over back to Naruto's side and simply watched him sleep. He looked so content and Gaara wished he could spend more moments together like this. He watched the rise and fall of Naruto's chest. The way his hair fell over his eyes. And as he noticed all these things, he couldn't help but want more of him. Although he'd never done it before, he lowered himself over Naruto and slowly, softly placed his lips on Naruto's parted ones. "My first kiss..." thought Gaara. The sensation was almost too much. Even though Naruto was asleep, it felt so wonderful to Gaara. He lightly licked Naruto's top lip and kissed him once more before lifting up to see his face again. He hoped he hadn't just done something horrible. He lay down next to him and lay a hand over Naruto's chest. Worried yet happy, Gaara thought how lovely it was to hold him.
Sasuke arrived back to the Kage's tower with new supplies in hand. There was hardly any activity in his room. He wondered what Naruto was doing, but not for long. He organized his pack, ate, and with nothing else to do, went to bed. His intentions unclear.
.
Approaching footsteps awoke Sasuke before they even reached the door. He quickly opened the door to find yet another Suna ninja nearing his room.
"Oh, you're up already. I wasn't looking forward to waking you up." He smiled awkwardly and awaited a response.
"Who are you?" He gave his usual nonchalant expression.
"Eh?! You don't remember me?" At first he was obviously shocked then immediately he recovered and smiled sheepishly. "I guess I do look a little different, I don't usually wear my make up this early." Normally he wore streaks of purple across his face.
"Kankuro. What is it?" Sasuke didn't have patience for formalities or catching up.
"We're serving breakfast and Gaara asked us to make sure his guests were present. Temari should be getting Naruto right now."
"I'll be there in a few minutes." He turned back towards his room and began to shut the door but Kankuro stepped forward and blocked him.
"Do you know where breakfast is held?"
At that, Sasuke became embarrassed but showed it with irritation plain on his face. "I suppose I'll follow you there now, then."
Meanwhile, Gaara had noticed sunrise a few hours prior and, although he didn't want to leave the sight of Naruto's peaceful, sleeping face, he left the bed to shower and get dressed for the day. Soon after, Temari, Gaara's oldest sibling, arrived at the door and lightly tapped her knuckles across it. Gaara rarely slept, so there was no reason to be any louder than that.
She heard no movement from inside. "Maybe he IS asleep...?"
Slowly, she turned the doorknob and stepped lightly into the room. With little surprise, she smiled at the sight of Naruto sleeping on Gaara's bed. " Who would have thought Gaara would develop feelings for another?"
After shutting the door she walked over to the restroom. "Gaara," she called out loud enough to be heard through the door and running water.
A few moments later, the water shut off and she could hear shuffling. Gaara soon emerged with a towel around his neck and only a pair of loose black pants on.
"Temari, is breakfast ready?"
"It's almost ready for serving. I left enough time for your guests to arrive."
"Good. Thank you." Gaara motioned to walk towards a closet but stopped after seeing Naruto still asleep. He tried furiously to hold back his blush.
"Don't worry, Gaara. I can tell you're still innocent." She smiled in almost a taunting way.
He relaxed a bit and continued to the closet.
"And Kankuro?" He picked out a matching shirt.
"He should be showing Sasuke back to the dining room." Now sandals.
"Give me some time to awaken Naruto. We'll be down shortly."
"Don't be too long. Kankuro won't be able to just sit quietly." She walked out leaving him blushing once more. Temari was understanding but had her own way of torturing him, in a way.
Gaara smoothly walked over to the bed and sat beside Naruto. He lay his hand on his chest and momentarily regretted having to disrupt the image of peacefulness before him. He wondered if Naruto always slept like this or if it was only while with him. His hands moved to grasp both of Naruto's shoulders and he lightly shook him.
"Naruto, it's morning."
Nothing. He shook him once more.
"Naruto..."
Still nothing. This time he lowered himself near his head and spoke softly into his ear. "Wake up Naruto..."
Naruto turned slightly and nuzzled into Gaara's neck but showed no signs of waking. Gaara flushed, once again, from Naruto's touch. Keeping his composure, he raised himself up, shook him harder, and spoke much louder. "Naruto. Wake up."
Naruto looked for the body to nuzzle again but was disappointed. "Mmm...Gaara..."
Again, he shook him. "Come on, Naruto. Your food will get cold."
Lazily, Naruto opened his bright, blue eyes. "Gaara, did you sleep with me?" He looked away from Gaara.
The slightest hint of pink came over Gaara, "No, I just...watched you sleep...and held you." He helped him sit up. "But that doesn't matter. Breakfast is ready. They're waiting for us."
Naruto seemed a little hurt at that. He got up nonetheless and noticed his jacket slung on a nearby chair. He walked over to it and moved to put it on.
"How did my jacket get over here?"
"After you fell asleep I took it off."
This time Naruto flushed. "You didn't do anything did you?"
In response, Gaara's shade deepened. "Of course not, I wouldn't even think of it."
A grin came over Naruto's face. "Well, let's go! I'm starving!"
In the dining room, Sasuke, Kankuro, and Temari were all waiting to eat until the other two arrived. The room would have been quiet had it not been for Temari constantly telling Kankuro not to eat yet. Shortly, Gaara and Naruto entered the room and Kankuro was the first to show his enthusiasm. "Finally! Took you long enough."
Naruto raised his hand up behind his head, "Ahaha sorry! I'm a heavy sleeper."
They all began eating happily and wondered why Naruto was here and how long he'd be staying.
The group's random chatter faded into silence to Sasuke. "Kankuro said Temari would be waking Naruto. Why did he arrive with Gaara?" He ate his breakfast quietly and tried to ignore Naruto's loud shouts. He was removed from his thoughts after hearing his name called.
"Sasuke," Gaara spoke calmly. Sasuke simply looked up at him.
"Did you find all the supplies you needed yesterday?"
"Most of them."
"I would show you around but I have a lot of work to do. Naruto, you remember how to get around the village, don't you?"
Naruto smiled sheepishly, "Uh, yeah. I'll go with Sasuke today." Gaara nodded.
After breakfast, the three siblings took off to take care of their duties while Sasuke and Naruto went out to the shopping district. They walked through the village in silence until they got close to the shops.
"The shops are that way right?" Sasuke pointed ahead.
"Yeah."
Sasuke grabbed Naruto's arm and turned them both towards the right where several homes lined the streets.
"Are we close to your girlfriend's house?"
Naruto stopped dead in his tracks. "Do you even need to go shopping?"
"No." He showed no ounce of guilt on his face.
Naruto brought both his hands to his head and clenched his hair in frustration, "Gaaaahh Sasuke! You brought us all the way out here for nothing!"
"No, You're going to introduce me to your girlfriend." He smirked.
"UHG. Let's just go back to your room." He turned around and began walking.
Sasuke followed but didn't give up. "What's wrong? Girlfriend break up with you?"
Naruto said nothing and sped up his pace. He was growing more and more frustrated.
Sasuke's smirk grew wider. "Is there even a girlfriend?"
"IF YOU KNEW WHY DID YOU BRING US HERE!?" He took off running; Sasuke followed, still amused.
Naruto ran and ran hoping to lose Sasuke in the process but he kept on his trail closely. After a short while Sasuke decided it would be better to stay back and just find out which room he was in. He could bug him later about having made up a girl.
Naruto noticed Sasuke wasn't behind him anymore and after entering the Kage's building, he went back to Gaara's room through the connected door to wait for him. Meanwhile, Sasuke made note of the floor and room and returned to his own room until he thought Naruto was calm enough to speak to him again.
Several hours later, Naruto awoke on Gaara's bed, dripping with sweat. "Shit, I'm gonna be smelly again," he thought frantically. He forced himself and over to the restroom where he grew amazed at the size of the bathtub the Kage had for himself. He grinned to himself, "No point in going to use my small shower when this is right here!" He hastily stripped and drew a bath. He saw a bottle for bubble bath on the sink counter and poured some of that into the bath as well. Once it was full, he got in the jacuzzi-like tub, relaxed himself, and let himself get lost in his thoughts.
"Man...this is the best bath ever. I don't think Gaara will mind that I'm using it. He IS my boyfriend after all. Ahhghghahg! I've never called him that before it's so weird!
…
I shouldn't think it's weird...I care about him a lot. He really does make me happy.
But why is it so awkward when we're together? I never know how to be or what to say! I wish he'd be more open with me...
Ahg! And what am I going to tell Sasuke? He's such a jerk...always trying to mess with me...he should just be clear!"
He let out a heavy sigh and slunk down into the water.
Gaara walked calmly through the corridor to his room. He'd just finished all the paperwork piled up in his office and desperately wanted to wash off the the smell of ink from himself. He slunk down in a chair to remove his shoes then threw his clothes into a nearby hamper. He walked steadily towards the restroom and calmly opened the door, stepped in, and shut it.
Naruto's bright blue eyes caught Gaara's green ones. He glanced down at his exposed body and back up at his eyes then turned swiftly away to stare at the wall.
"Gaara! I-I'm sorry I used your bath I was waiting for you and you never got here and I fell asleep and I got all sweaty and I didn't want to stink for you and I-" Gaara looked frantically around for something to cover himself with but found nothing. Instead, he got into his shower and hoped the glass door would blur out his body.
Both boys were a deep shade of red almost as crimson as Gaara's hair.
"No, Naruto, I'm sorry. I didn't think you would be here. Please keep away so I may get out."
"Ahh, Gaara!"
"Am I not covering up right?"
"No...it's not that. This tub is big enough for us both...and with the bubbles we won't be able to see each other." He flushed deeper and felt his body get hot with embarrassment.
"I don't mind waiting..." Gaara peeked out from the behind the glass door.
Naruto turned to face him, "It's ok. I trust you." He smiled earnestly. "I hope this is okay..."
Slowly, Gaara began to step out from the shower, "If you're sure."
Naruto hastily turned to the wall again. "Just...make sure you have enough bubbles."
After getting settled in, Gaara spoke, "Thanks for letting me join you."
"It shouldn't be a problem between us, right?" He grinned and Gaara felt himself relax.
He realized it was the first time he'd seen Naruto wet and he quite enjoyed the sight.
"Naruto?"
"Hm?" He continued smiling at him.
"Could I assist you in washing your back...?" He tried his hardest not to look embarrassed.
Naruto's smile grew wider. "Heh~" He spun around and slid himself backwards closer to Gaara, removing most of the bubbles and giving Gaara a clear view of his entire backside.
Not wanting to ruin the moment, Gaara avoided looking at anything besides Naruto's back. He lathered up a loofah and slowly, yet firmly, scrubbed his back.
"Mm."
"Is that okay?"
Naruto looked back at him, "It's nice~"
"I have to confess something."
He looked curious. "What's that?"
"Last night, I kissed you." "I hope he won't be angry with me."
Naruto blushed lightly, "W-when? How did I not notice?"
"You were asleep."
He scowled, "Man, our first kiss and I missed it."
"Are you angry?"
"Ha...no, I'm not. You're allowed to do that...I just wish I'd been awake."
"I'm allowed to..." "Naruto."
He looked back." "Hm?"
Gaara dropped the loofah and wrapped his arms around Naruto's torso. Naruto tensed up immediately. He felt Gaara's arms tighten around him and let his worries fade.