Chapter 41
Naruto
I couldn't believe Gaara got this for my birthday, on top of what we did all day! I was totally speechless and I couldn't even think of what words to say to Gaara for the wonderful gift. I know I was going to be interrogated about being Gaara's boyfriend for a while, but what shocked me was how Sakura and Ino were more than happy with me being with Gaara. I could tell that they knew something about it for a while now and just never said anything. That showed me that they'd never tell anyone and meant it when they promised.
I had to laugh, though, the look on Sasuke's face when he saw the rings was just priceless. I think Itachi had to hit him in the leg to make him close his mouth after a few minutes, and I stared at the ring on my hand again, this time the tears were forming in my eyes and finally falling.
They weren't sad tears, hell no, they were tears of pure joy, but none of the joy could quench this feeling I had that my father could walk through those doors any second, and I had been looking outside after each gift I opened, and I think Sasuke saw me. Right now, I don't care, he'll find out why tomorrow and I'll hear all about it afterwards.
"Hey, Naruto, do you still wear that brace?" Ino asked, breaking me from my thoughts as I looked up at her.
"Yea, and I think I will for a few more weeks." I answered.
"Then wait to wear the sweaters, don't want to get that Velcro to tear them up." Ino suggested.
"It doesn't have Velcro, Ino, it's buckled because Tsunade doesn't want him to take it off without help." Sasuke told her, and I glared at him, which didn't look threatening because I still had tears falling.
"Oh, then wear the sweaters!" Ino said happily. I guess she was happy that I could wear them with the brace on. Hell I was!
"I plan on it!" I said happily, quickly drying my face before I was questioned.
"It's getting late, and my father is coming to pick me up here soon." Sakura sighed when I saw her pull her phone out and read a text message she got, and the look on her face said it all.
"Yea, and I'm supposed to stay the night with you." Ino pouted. "I wanted to stay longer."
"I gotta get going soon too, Hana is having me help her deliver a new litter of pups that will be coming along late tonight." Kiba said as he stood up and stretched.
"I want a puppy!" I whined, nearly begged, but both Uchiha's glared at me. Well, Sasuke more than Itachi.
"I can't have a dog inside, Naruto. Especially not a pup." Itachi said.
"And I'm annoyed already with Akamaru being in here." Sasuke said, and I pouted.
"That's no fair!" I huffed.
"We'll see you Monday, right?" Kiba asked, and I think he was praying that I come to school on Monday.
"I don't know. I'll see about him staying home one more week." Tsunade said as she crossed her arms in thought. "We'll see how his x-rays are at the end of the week."
"Okay." Kiba whined as he stood up as a car drove by. "Hana's here, I'll stop by tomorrow after school Naruto!"
"Bye Kiba, Akamaru!" I said, waving happily.
"Bye Naruto." Kiba waved back as Akamaru got up and barked as they walked out of the house and closed the door, and another car drove up.
"That's my Mom's car." Sakura said, and her and Ino stood up and gave me hugs. I hugged them back and wished they'd stay a little bit longer.
"See you sometime this week Naruto." Sakura waved.
"And I'm tagging along!" Ino said right after her, waving also as they slid on their shoes and walked outside.
"I'm getting a ride from Shikamaru." Chouji said, talking for the first time since he got here. I forgot he was nearly a mute and only talked when he was talked to or when he felt like he should.
"Okay Chouji." I nodded.
"And my father is going to be here any minute. I'm sorry we couldn't play a match Naruto." Shikamaru said as he came into view, hands deep in his pockets. He looked tired, but it's common when he looks tired.
"Okay, but you can come over tomorrow and we'll play." I suggested.
"I'll think about it." Shikamaru smiled as another car drove up. What the hell? Did they all meet at the end of the street and decide to come all at once?
"I gotta get going to the hospital, I just got a call that I'm needed for an emergency surgery." Tsunade said as she walked over and gave me a hug. "See you Wednesday, okay? And don't forget your medicine Gaara!"
"Okay baa-chan, and thank you for the books." I told her as I hugged back and let her go.
"I won't forget Tsunade." Gaara sighed. That's right, we stopped to pick up prescriptions for him before we went to the movies.
"No problem." She smiled and left just as Shikamaru and Chouji were putting their shoes on.
"I'll see you tomorrow Naruto." Shikamaru said.
"And I'll see you when you come back to school Naruto." Chouji said as they waved and left. I waved back as the door closed, and I felt like pieces of me were leaving as each person left.
God, why couldn't we stay a little longer?
"Naruto, I'll be by some time tomorrow to help you with math." Neji said as he stood up and crossed his arms.
"You and Hinata leaving too?" I asked in a whiny voice.
"I have to go to the studio tomorrow and I think Hinata has a doctors' appointment." Neji said. "Lee and I have to practice on some stuff for the tournament."
"Okay, and I'll make sure I'm there for you guys!" I promised, hugging all three of them before they walked out and left when another car drove up.
"So, Naruto, how was your birthday?" Itachi asked, who was still on the floor, tying the trash bag that held all the gift wrapping.
"I loved it, but I feel like … something's missing." I said, now looking down at my lap where Sasuke's gift was still sitting, but I was really staring still at the ring Gaara gave me .
"What do you think that was, Naruto?" Gaara asked me as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I almost forgot that they were still here.
"I think it's because not everyone was here." I said with a shrug.
"Well, Temari has to give Dad his car back soon." Gaara sighed. I could tell he wanted to stay longer too.
"Gaara, stay … you need to talk to Ibiki tomorrow with Sasuke." I sighed, officially making up my mind to have Gaara there instead of having to deal with both of them at different times.
"Wait, are you sure about this Naruto?" Itachi asked, and the look on his face was a shocked one, but I nodded. I was most definitely sure about having them listen to those tapes.
"Yes, I'm sure …" I nodded, and I kept getting looks of confusion from both my boyfriend and Sasuke. I could just imagine what they/d say to me tomorrow after they talked with Ibiki. God, they'll probably be yelling at me for hours on end, or until they've let out their frustration. Gaara will probably try to kill my Dad. My mind says he deserves it, but for some stupid reason, my heart won't accept what he truly deserves.
"Let me call Dad, I'll be able to talk him into letting you stay the night Gaara." Temari said as she placed a hand on both of our shoulders before going to the kitchen.
Great, now I felt like crying, and I have no clue which excuse it'd be; crying because I'm happy I, for once, had an amazing birthday where no one was trying to kill me, or the fact that I'm going to be bitched at for hours tomorrow. I guess it's a little bit of both.
"I'll be right back, getting another drink so I can take my medicine." Gaara said, kissing my cheek before he got up and went into the kitchen with Temari.
"Do you want me to call Ibiki and tell him when to come over?" Itachi asked as he got up off the floor and took Gaara's seat.
"Probably would be best, and tell him Gaara's joining them." I mumbled, hoping Sasuke wasn't trying to be part of the conversation.
"Hey, Naruto, I'm moving all your gifts to your room." Sasuke said down the hall, I guess he already started because when I looked at where Neji sat, most of them had already been picked up.
"Thanks Sasuke." I said.
"Is lunch time okay with you Naruto?" Itachi asked as I saw him pull his phone out of his pocket and unlocked the screen. Just seeing the phone made me hate my own. It was simple, but I wished I had a better one.
"Yea, lunch time is best, that way there won't be any yelling in the morning." I said.
"Naruto, I assure you, there won't be any yelling tomorrow, at least towards you." Itachi said as he put a hand on top of my head.
"I highly doubt it." I mumbled when Temari and Gaara came back from the kitchen, and the look on Gaara's face gave me the answer on our impending question.
"Dad says Gaara can stay." Temari said, who's face started lighting up and Gaara's face smirked at me. God, they fucking pulled a fast one on me.
"God damn it! I thought you guys were coming in here to tell me the bad news." I pouted, crossing my arms as I turned my head the other way.
"You're just so easily tricked, Naruto." Temari said as Itachi got up and Gaara took his seat back, wrapping his arms around me once again and pulled me onto his lap.
"It was her idea." Gaara whispered in my ear and I glared at Temari playfully.
"I know, but that doesn't mean you do it all the time." I huffed.
"I'll try to remember that." Temari winked as she pulled out her car keys and walked over to the door with Kankuro … whom I just realized was quiet as a damn mouse and busy on his phone.
"We'll see you guys tomorrow." Temari said when they got their shoes on.
"Bye Naruto." Kankuro waved when he pulled his face from his phone. I guess he's talking with his boss, he'd never be on the phone like this if it wasn't anyone else.
"Bye guys." I waved as they walked outside and closed the door.
"I'm actually ready for bed." Gaara yawned next to me and I beamed at him with wide eyes. Hell, he's never tired unless he's been up for five day straight.
"It's the medicine she's got me on." He admitted, and I nodded, remembering that baa-chan prescribed him some medication … but what for?/
"What are they for?" I asked.
"One is for my cold I got, she wants to make sure it's completely gone, and the other is a sleeping medication to help me sleep." He answered, and I snuggled up into him.
"Sleep with me?" I asked, hoping he'd do so
"I'd love to." Gaara whispered into my ear before pulling on my earlobe with his teeth, earning a muffled groan from me when I bit my bottom lip … just as Sasuke came back into the living room.
"Get a room." Sasuke said, and I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was smirking.
"Why don't you and Sakura get a room, teme." I growled, sticking my tongue out at him as he walked by.
"Why you …" Sasuke growled and was about to hit the top of my head when Itachi walked into the room, putting his phone in his pocket and sighed heavily.
"I think we all should get some sleep, we got a long day ahead of us." He said.
"I was just getting something to drink before I went to take my shower." Sasuke scoffed, walking past Itachi and into the kitchen.
"So … Sasuke and Sakura?" Gaara asked, then I felt my stomach sink.
"Uh, yea, but they're not together right now because of Sakura's father." I laughed lightly as I scratched the back of my head. "Use it as black mail! I am."
"You bet." Gaara smirked at me when Sasuke walked back into the living room with a couple cans of soda in his hands and shook his head. I guess he heard us.
"Good night." Sasuke sighed as he walked by and into the bathroom.
Gaara stood up with me in his arms before he put me down, then I wondered where the hell Sasuke put my crutches.
"Teme put my crutches somewhere." I mumbled.
"Then I'll be your crutch right now." Gaara offered as he slung my left arm over his shoulder and his right arm went around my waist. I couldn't help but blush, but I nodded and we slowly made our way to my room.
"Just don't do anything in there!" Itachi said from behind us and I felt my whole body stiffen as I felt my face get hotter.
"I don't think I'll be up long enough, Itachi." Gaara said as we walked into the bedroom and closed the door.
"I wish we could." I sniffed.
"One of these days … we will." Gaara said as he walked and stood in front of me, winking as he smirked, but I knew that one of these days we would.