CHAPTER 4: Jealousy in the Air

On a Friday night, Naruto was throwing a housewarming party for his friends. Gaara had bought him a recently released video game and a box of strawberry milk chocolates.

"Dude, I've been dreaming of this," Naruto smiled and thanked Gaara with a fist bump. "Can't wait to kick your ass in this game."

"Me, too. Let's have a game night someday, okay?" Gaara smiled.

"You bet," Naruto grinned, squeezing the game in his hand. "And these chocolates? They're my favorite! Now, be my guest, have some champagne, profiteroles, sushi and candy," he gestured towards the kitchen table.

With a thank you, Gaara made his way towards the treats and mingled with the other guests.

Plate full of sinfully good treats, he found a peaceful place in the corner of the living room, next to a tall house plant. As he munched on a profiterole, he couldn't help but wonder what an excellent host Naruto was. He was thoughtful, civilized, friendly and obviously now a gourmand, too. What was there not to like in a person like him?

"Ino, hi!" came Naruto's cheerful voice from the hallway.

Gaara froze momentarily, but quickly resumed eating before anyone could notice. With a slow pace, he consumed the last of the treats, so that he wouldn't have to just sit idly.

"Ooh, this new apartment is beautiful," a woman's voice praised.

Gaara gripped his plate tighter, trying to shush down whatever was swelling inside.

"Naruto, you were absolutely correct, that your friend Gaara has an amazing sense of order and style," the woman complimented, accompanied by a friendly chuckle from Naruto.

"Yes, isn't he amazing?" Naruto responded, and Gaara felt ashamed. Still hiding behind the large plant, he felt like leaving. Naruto was saving his reputation over there only because he was a friendly person, and Gaara felt undeserving. He didn't deserve a friend like Naruto.

"Now, let me meet the mastermind behind this beautifully arranged home. He is here, I hope?" the woman asked, hopeful.

"Oh, sure. This way," Naruto led the way politely. "There he is."

Exposed, Gaara gave a little wave to the blond woman who was coming his way.

"You must be Gaara? I'm Ino Yamanaka. Nice to meet you. You've done an excellent job with this place. Naruto was absolutely right about your skills."

"It was really nothing," Gaara tried to wave it off, ashamed.

Next to Ino, Naruto was smiling like a sun, and side by side like that, they looked like a perfect couple.

"You're so modest," Ino laughed.

"No, really, it was—"

"Gaara is really amazing, isn't he?" Naruto cut off his friend, and smiled warmly at Gaara. "What would I do without him?"

"Indeed," Ino chuckled, and winked at Gaara, "We both know how unorganized he can sometimes be, don't we?"

"Do we?" Gaara laughed nervously, wondering how Ino knew Naruto in such detail.

"Now," Naruto quickly interrupted and took Ino by her hand, "Let me have you taste the profiteroles I got. It's from the bakery down the street, the one you said you liked the best."

"Ooh, you remembered? They have the best profiteroles," Ino got excited, and followed Naruto into the kitchen.

Now alone again, Gaara slowly kept on eating the treats he still had on his plate. Ino's happy squeal carried from the kitchen, and Naruto's charming laughter after that, and in that moment, Gaara felt like he didn't fit in the overall happy and bubbly atmosphere of the party.

During the evening, he chatted with the other guests, had small talk here and there, and put on his best mask. Many of these people talked about their trips abroad, their hobbies, their pets, their demanding jobs, and some of them even had children of their own already. With his best skills, Gaara mirrored their gestures and body positions in an attempt to fit in.

"Gaara, there you are," Ino found him in his little hiding spot on the balcony.

Surprised, Gaara smiled shortly and gripped his fancy glass more tightly. Ino seemed unaware of his tension, as she leaned on the balustrade next to him, and admired the view.

"It's so peaceful here. It's nice to get away from all that hassle for a while," Ino said, glancing at the redhead.

"Yeah," Gaara nodded. He stared at her searchingly, sipping his drink.

Ino felt it, and stared back. Not often had she seen such attentiveness than what she saw in the jade eyes. It was curiosity mixed with concern and care. But why would Gaara feel concerned, or care towards her?

"Naruto couldn't have made it without you," Gaara whispered, and looked away. "If you hadn't helped him pack and clean up, it would've ended up in chaos. He was very grateful, and happy about it."

"Really?" Ino smiled, "It was nothing, really. Just paying back the kindness he had shown earlier."

But Gaara saw through her, as he once again stared at her with that knowing look.

"It was hardly 'nothing'. You probably had to go through the boxes after him and rearrange the things again into more logical order," Gaara chuckled.

Ino rolled her eyes knowingly. "Ugh, he had packed books, a pair of shoes, a few cups and a pillow all in the same box. Can you imagine?"

Gaara chuckled again. "That's Naruto, alright."

"Tell me about it," Ino sighed, and sipped her drink. "And when I told him to stop packing in a lunatic way like that, he got offended and whined how you would've been a lot more considerate towards him."

"I would've smacked him in the head, more than once," Gaara smirked, and it got Ino to laugh.

"I would've loved to see that," she chuckled.

"And you're saying you didn't inflict any physical harm on him while he put you through all that mindless hassle he brings along? At least you were tempted, weren't you," Gaara wondered impishly.

Ino grinned slyly, and whispered, "Just between the two of us, I did grip him on the front and threatened to beat him up, if he didn't stop whining and agree to do it my way."

Gaara laughed unashamedly, and Ino chuckled as well. They sipped their drinks, with a small smile on their faces. Right then, Naruto's loud voice carried from the inside, and then his laughter, and now everyone else was laughing as well. Gaara and Ino shared a knowing look. Naruto indeed was a loud-mouthed clown sometimes, and the life of the party.

"You're modest and funny. I like that in a person," Ino smiled warmly at Gaara.

"Really?" the redhead was surprised, smiling a little smile.

"Yeah," Ino replied, taking a sip of her drink, and smiling sweetly at him. "Most of the guys there are quite pushy or bragging about themselves. But you're different. And Naruto as well."

"Oh… I had no idea," was all Gaara said, as he stared at her with that intuitive, soft look again.

Ino chuckled and patted him on the shoulder, before heading back in, "That's why you're so cute. And Naruto as well, even though he's a huge blockhead sometimes. It was nice to meet you. Have a nice evening."

"You, too," Gaara responded, and watched her go. Had Ino really said he was cute?

Naruto saw Ino come back in from the balcony. A quick look through the room, through the half-closed blinds that covered the window to the balcony, and he could make out a mop of red hair peeking from behind the backrest of the rattan chair he had there.

Ino had a happy smile on her face, and her cheeks were blushing. Naruto abandoned his glass, feeling suddenly his appetite subside. With a bright smile, he walked to Ino, and took her hand. Ino looked surprised. It was a quiet corner, and no one was paying them attention. Naruto had the friendliest smile.

"You don't happen to know where Gaara went?" he asked like he didn't know.

"Oh. He's on the balcony," Ino said, and nudged her head towards it.

"You talked with him?" Naruto wondered, still smiling like a sunny summer cloud.

Ino smiled back, and now the blush was on her face again. "Yeah, we talked. He's nice."

Naruto stared at her dreamy face for a while, and he felt all life slowly leaving him. "He's really nice, yeah, I know."

"Do you know if he's seeing anyone?" Ino wondered, talking in a hushed voice, and twirling her hair restlessly.

Naruto felt uneasy, and he squeezed Ino's hand. "Well…"

Now there was a hopeful, tender look on her face. And in Naruto, sadness was coming in waves, hitting against his heart and wanting to wipe it all away.

"I mean… Now that you asked," Naruto stammered, staring at her, "He has mentioned having a girlfriend."

He had never seen her so disappointed. It brought some life back to him, and ashamedly, he let it blossom in his soul.

"I think he was talking about an engagement ring the other day. I guess it's pretty serious, then," Naruto said with feigned forgetfulness. Ino seemed to buy the story, and she looked disappointed and sad.

"Oh, okay," Ino sighed, and crossed her arms, "The best ones are always taken, right?"

"Right," Naruto sighed, "I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's not your fault," Ino tried to smile. "I had a premonition that… someone nice like him, would already be happily in a relationship."

"Yeah, they're very happy together. He adores her," Naruto nodded, enforcing the story he had made up, and watched as all happiness left Ino's eyes. Feeling guilty and victorious at the same time, Naruto patted her on the shoulder, and guided her towards the table with a lot of treats still left.

When Naruto saw Gaara coming back in from the balcony, a tense smile came to his face. Quickly, he grabbed Ino by the arm, and dragged her to a quiet corner.

"Naruto, what are you doing?" Ino wondered, still chewing the candy she had been eating.

"Look, my dad called me, and apparently your dad has been trying to call you, but there was something wrong with your phone, I guess, and he couldn't reach you. He was able to call my dad, who called me, and now I can tell you that you need to go to see your dad right away," Naruto said, breathless.

"What? Is it an emergency?" Ino got pale.

"It had something to do with chopping firewood for winter. He needs your help tonight," Naruto told a lie, as he knew the Yamanakas. There was always something to do with the damned firewood, or garden work, or fixing either one of the old cars Mr. Yamanaka brooded in their garage like a mother hen. Those things were close to an obsession for the Yamanakas, and Naruto knew all too well, as he had sometimes helped with his foster-father.

"Firewood? But dad knows I'm here tonight. I think it can wait," Ino shrugged, looking at him weirdly.

Naruto sighed, glancing around, but thankfully, no one was coming their way. "Look, Ino. He was looking forward to receiving your help. He's not that young anymore. And he'd love for you to help. You're his everything, remember? His little girl."

"Naruto…" Ino sighed, and rubbed her temples.

"Maybe it'd cheer you up as well," Naruto suggested, and now the sorrow from earlier was back in Ino's eyes again.

Ino looked troubled, and she looked away. "I know… But… Maybe I'll call him and ask what it was."

"No, don't. His phone won't work," Naruto told, and was already guiding her towards the door.

"B-But didn't you say it was my phone that was supposedly not working?" Ino wondered, frowning.

"Look, all I know is that my dad called me and your dad had been urgent, he needs you back home as soon as possible, as he wants to chop some firewood with you, okay?" Naruto sighed, helping a coat on her.

"Naruto, you're acting really weird today," Ino said and looked at him strangely. "As if you were trying to make me leave—"

"Ino?" came a voice behind them. A voice that got Naruto's skin shiver.

It was Gaara, staring at them.

"Are you leaving already?" Gaara asked, looking at her. It sounded like he was disappointed.

Now the sadness and disappointment were back in Ino's eyes, and she looked away. Naruto felt bad for her, but a part of him felt like this was a necessary evil.

"Yeah, I'm… I'm heading home," Ino told the redhead, and flashed a feeble, unconvincing smile at him.

Gaara stared at her searchingly, but then Naruto pulled Ino into a hug.

"Ino, it was so nice you could come to my party. I'm grateful, and we had so much fun," Naruto told, as if forced, and opened the door for her.

A little bewildered, she stepped over the threshold, and gave one last feeble smile. "It was nice seeing you both. I had a good time. Thanks."

Before she could have a chance to see Gaara waving at her or responding, Naruto closed the door.

Gaara stared at Naruto questioningly. For an answer, Naruto only flashed him a luminous grin.

"That felt unusual," was all Gaara said.

"Hey, she had an emergency at home and had to leave early. It's a shame," Naruto said, making his voice sound sad.

"Yeah, I liked talking to her. It's a shame she left," Gaara told, still staring at the blond.

"Look, these things happen. But hey, why don't you help me clean up a little bit in the kitchen?" Naruto suggested with a smile.

But it looked like Gaara didn't buy it. "Help? Oh, no. I know how it'd be. You'd be constantly caught up in conversations, leaving the room, only to come back in with another conversation with someone else, and leave me all alone to clean up whatever mess there's waiting."

"You're brutal," Naruto pouted, crossing his arms. "You know me, Gaara. Of course I'd stay the whole time and help. I'd do my fair share. You know me."

"Oh, I know you," Gaara smirked, "You're Mr. Cleanliness and Mr. Focus combined, aren't you?"

Naruto's expression was so sour Gaara began to chuckle. He patted him on the shoulder, and headed to the living room, leaving the pouting blond behind.

Had it been the time of his life? Definitely, but now it was finally time to go home. A few of the other people he knew had already left the party.

"You're already leaving, Gaara?" Naruto asked in disbelief.

"I'm afraid so," Gaara responded, shying away. "It's been fun, though. Thanks."

"Aw, man, it's nice to hear that," Naruto smiled, "Come here."

A hug, that ended too soon. Gaara blushed, and walked away to his car. His outlines were blurring again, or were they hers? Naruto would never see her, the way she was. Gaara felt sick. All this was more than he could possibly handle. He didn't want these experiences, these emotions. She lingered in the memory of the hug, she dreamt of growing out her hair. She touched their hair, it was short. She wailed.

Gaara kept his eyes on the road, said out loud: road, wheel, car, sky, street lamp, road, ROAD, another street lamp, a… um… that's…?

The rest of the way home Gaara drove as if wrapped in cotton. He was held in a glove, he was safe, there was no pain. Floating inside of himself. That's how it felt.

Later on that same evening, Gaara received a text message from Naruto:

"Man, thanks for coming to my party. It was nice seeing you. Too bad you had to leave so early, though."

In Gaara's mind, a feminine presence fluttered like a butterfly. That part of him was all smiles, and with his mind's eye, he saw her ponytail swing as she squealed and hugged her pillow.

That part of him wanted to respond like this: "Aww it was really nice seeing you too. ;) Hopefully we can see each other again soon, hehe."

Instead, he replied: "Sorry, I have an early morning tomorrow. But yeah, it was cool seeing you and the guys."

Naruto was quick to text back: "No problem, I get it. :) You seemed a little off when we bid goodbye, is everything alright?"

"Just tired from work, that's all," Gaara replied before fear could take him over.

In his mind, the feminine-feeling part groaned and Gaara imagined her saying, "Dude, I want him to notice me, OK? Let me text with him for a while!"

Gaara felt dizzy again, and internally, he hoped his thoughts could reach that feminine part. He was a guy to anyone who saw him. Thin, pale, dark-rimmed eyes, red hair, black clothes. His Adam's apple was unmistakable, there was no way anyone would mistake him for a cute little lady.

And Naruto was his long-time friend, who was into women, as far as he knew. In no point, during all these years, had Naruto shown a side of himself that would indicate that he was into guys, or into girls in guy's body.

Whatever form of infatuation Gaara's feminine part was harboring, it was unlikely to have successful reception from a man like Naruto. There were just too many oddities on the way to make that kind of a scenario work out.

After that, he didn't hear from that part of him all evening, and he wasn't even sure if the part had registered his thoughts. Naruto didn't text back anymore, either.

"Kanku-chan?" came a sweet voice.

Kankuro closed his eyes and threw his head back on the couch. "What, Gaara?" His little brother only used that endearment when he wanted something.

"You have amazing culinary skills," Gaara praised, with a smile on his face.

"So what?" Kankuro snapped, cautious.

Gaara's smile brightened. "I would love it if you could put your skills in use tonight."

"No way I'll be slaving away in the kitchen tonight. You do it, for a change. I need my leisure time as well," Kankuro huffed.

Gaara's smile dropped. "O-Oh, okay. It's just… Kiba doesn't have much food at home, so I thought we could meet here instead."

"K-Kiba?" Kankuro stammered.

"Yeah," Gaara confirmed, looking at him weirdly.

"W-Well… I guess I could make a sandwich or two, then," Kankuro muttered, fidgeting with the shirt he was wearing, his eyes widening as he realized the timeworn state it was in. Like electrocuted, he shot up from the couch and headed to his room.

By the time Kiba arrived, Kankuro had conjured up a bit more than just a few sandwiches.

With eyes large as saucers, Kiba and Gaara took in not only the sandwiches, but the porridge, tea, grapes and fried pieces of sausages as well.

"Come on guys, dig in," Kankuro offered. Gaara squinted at him. Was that one of his better shirts he was wearing?

The three of them sat down. Gaara urged Kiba to have his plate full, smiling. Kiba did as he was told, and Gaara put some of the grapes in his porridge. Kankuro tried to mimic Gaara, but instead of grapes, he poured a spoonful of sausage bits in his porridge.

Kiba giggled, it was just too hilarious to let pass.

"Hey, I did it on purpose," Kankuro defended, blushing, and proceeded to eat his sausagy porridge with a grimace, like it was a normal thing. "Y-Yum. You should try this, too."

"Man, you're funny," Kiba laughed, and put a few pieces of sausages in his porridge as well.

Kankuro smiled shortly. "Bon appétit."

They both chuckled as they kept on eating. Gaara smiled as well, trying to come up with something funny to say.

"Bro, glad to have you in my clan," Kiba said between mouthfuls.

"It's my pleasure," Kankuro said modestly, even shyly.

"This week, I managed to get two expensive tokens. I'd love to use one of them, but if I wait a bit, I could sell them to someone and make a profit," Kiba pondered.

Kankuro perked up. "Wow, that's cool. What tokens are you talking about? How did you get them?"

Now Kiba looked sheepish. "Bro, this is just between us, but someone from within the game company gave them to me. It's a secret, okay? I don't want to anger other players, because I got special treatment."

"What? Wow," Kankuro was excited, "I had no idea you knew them like that."

"W-Well, I've been chatting with a lot of people, and building up my community there. And I guess people liked me, and then I got a chance to talk with someone who works in the company, as they were also playing the game themselves," Kiba told modestly. "I guess they liked me as well, and we've been chatting ever since, when we happened to be there at the same time."

"Isn't that impressive," Kankuro asked Gaara.

"It is," Gaara agreed, even if he had tuned out after the word 'token'. The truth was, it sometimes felt like nothing else fit into his boyfriend's days anymore but that game. It felt like all his social life was there these days, and it both annoyed and worried Gaara.

"If you want, I could show you a few things in the game," Kiba suggested, wolfing down the last of his supper.

"Well… I'm tempted," Kankuro admitted, and glanced at Gaara. The redhead was eating slowly, his gaze lowered to his plate. "But surely you want to spend time with Gaara tonight, maybe the game can wait."

"It'll be quick," Kiba promised, with a small smile.

Gaara glanced at his boyfriend. He knew by now that whenever it came to that game, 'quick' meant an hour at least.

"It won't take long, I promise," Kiba told Gaara, as he and Kankuro headed to Kankuro's room.

Gaara nodded with a smile, and started to collect the dirty dishes. He could as well wash them, as he had a hunch that the two of them wouldn't come back anytime soon.

Eventually, Kiba came to Gaara's room. The redhead was lying on the bed, reading a book. When he saw Kiba, he put the book away.

"Sorry it took us so long," Kiba explained, "I missed you."

Gaara smiled at him, and made room for him on the bed. "I missed you too."

"I got something for you," Kiba said, excited, as he went through his backpack. Finally, he dug out an old book.

"This is for you. I thought you'd enjoy it," Kiba smiled, showing it to him.

Gaara looked at the old book, and read the title: 'The Funniest Jokes EVER.'

Kiba was already snickering, even if no joke was told yet. "I had a copy of that book when I was a kid, and boy, did I love it. I'm sure you love it, as well. And oh, there's especially one joke I thought you'd like."

He read it aloud.

Did you hear about the guy who invented the knock-knock joke?
He won the "no-bell" prize.

"Heh heh, do you get it?" Kiba laughed, "No-bell, as in Nobel! I remember you liked that one guy's book, who won the Nobel prize, so this joke reminded me of it."

"That's sweet," Gaara smiled, and kissed Kiba on the cheek. "You're very thoughtful, and I appreciate this gift."

"I knew you'd like it," Kiba smiled. "And this one is my favorite," he said, and read it aloud as well.

Why did it get so hot in the baseball stadium after the game?
All of the fans left.

Kiba giggled hysterically, and wiped his eyes. "It's funny, isn't it?"

Gaara nodded, letting out a small laugh as well. "These are hilarious indeed."

But then Gaara's expression turned more serious, and he stared at Kiba. "Hey, I was just wondering, do you and my brother play a lot together?"

Kiba was surprised, and he stopped to think. "Well, not a lot. When we happen to be there at the same time, we sometimes play together. Why do you ask?"

Gaara lowered his gaze, and bit his lip. "I'm wondering if you prefer his company over mine."

"What? Of course not," Kiba assured, and hugged him gently. "You're my little sweetheart, of course I prefer your company over anybody else."

"You sure? You don't secretly hate me, or anything?" Gaara wondered.

Kiba frowned. "No, of course not. What got you thinking like that?"

But Gaara only shook his head. "I thought you were bored with me, and wanted to leave me."

"What? No, of course not," Kiba gasped, shocked. Gently, he hugged Gaara, and booped his nose. "You're being a silly goose again, my little honeybun."

Gaara surrendered at being pampered. "I was sure you hated me. I almost cried. I felt like cutting myself."

"Now, now," Kiba murmured, gently rocking him in his arms. "You're safe, and I love you. I will never leave you, Gaara. You're my everything."

"You promise?" Gaara whispered.

"I promise. Nothing would make me leave you. You're precious," Kiba assured.

"I was so scared," Gaara breathed, and closed his eyes. Kiba kissed his cheek, and held him gently. It felt safe being in his arms.

"Everything's alright now," Kiba told patiently. "It's always been, and always will be. I will never leave you, Gaara."