Learn to Love (Complete)

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Chapter 10:

Naruto wheeled himself into the room to see Sasuke sitting on the bed, his back to the door. He sighed and struggled to hoist himself onto the bed, finally managing it, after which he dragged himself to Sasuke. It was at these moments that his condition really frustrated him. He reached Sasuke and draping an arm around the dark haired boy’s shoulder. Sasuke ungraciously moved away, scooting to the farthest side of the bed; Naruto almost pitched head first into the blanket, stopping himself by throwing out an arm. He sat there feeling lonely and hurt.

He cleared his throat. “Sasuke… what’s wrong?” he wanted to move closer, but he’d used up most of his strength for the day and was hurting all over from all the exertion in the morning. He waited but Sasuke was silent. Naruto frowned. “Listen, Sasuke… please tell me.”

The Uchiha shifted a bit. “Can’t you see what’s wrong, dobe? I broke my arm! I thought you were paralyzed, but not blind as well!” he heard Naruto suck in a sharp breath and pain blossomed in his heart for hurting the blond…his blond. But couldn’t the dobe see he was angry? When he was angry he couldn’t help but hurt the person he loved!

Behind him, he heard Naruto breathing a little labouredly and then he heard the blond clear his throat. “I meant how did you get hurt bastard? Just answer me, instead of trying to hurt me and push me away! It’s not going to work… I won’t let you hurt me…for…for stupid reasons like this!”

Sasuke whirled around, his eyes seemingly glinting red? “Shut up, dobe! Just shut up! I don’t have to answer you! I don’t have to do anything you tell me too! Just because I let you in, doesn’t mean I have to obey your every command! I won’t let you order me around! I know…I know I didn’t meet up to your expectations all right? I know! All my life, I’ve never been what they wanted me to be! I have never met up to anyone’s expectations and I don’t think I ever will! I’m sorry I didn’t meet your picture of a perfect and decent boyfriend ok? Don’t try making me feel guilty, it won’t work either…I’ll never let you guilt trip me! I won’t listen to a thing you say or obey your silly…”

He was interrupted mid-rant by a panicked Naruto who said “Sasuke! I have to pee!” like a bolt Sasuke was off the bed, his good arm circling around the blond’s waist, half dragging and half carrying him to the bathroom. It was only then that he realized that the only thing he could do was precariously old the blond up with only one arm, considering the other was in a cast and right now…was hurting a lot. He turned away till Naruto finished, before picking up the other boy and dumping him on the bed.

Naruto looked at his back which was presented once more. “Won’t obey me, huh teme? Then why did you rush me to the bathroom the minute I told you?”

Sasuke then turned the dial for his trademark Uchiha glare and turned it to below zero degrees. That done, he faced the fiery blond on the other side, suddenly thinking that ice couldn’t hurt fire, but what the hell. “Self interest, dobe…you were going soil my sheets…I do not care for the idea of sleeping on soiled sheets or you wetting my mattress. I do not favour a room smelling of pee.” Then he turned his back again.

“Uh huh… why didn’t you call Haku then? I’m sure Uchiha’s have very good memory when it came to servants and their uses around the house. It’s plain stupidity to do that when your arm is injured…were you jealous because Haku might get to see my privates or were you just concerned?” Naruto smirked the childish triumph evident in his voice.

“Don’t kid yourself Uzumaki…I was neither jealous nor concerned. If you can’t accept me as I am, then don’t accept me at all.” He smirked. They sat in deep silence for a while; the only sound heard was their breathing. A tiny snore woke Sasuke from his stupor and he turned to see Naruto asleep, his mouth parted slightly, nose scrunched up and breathing softly. But how could anyone be pissed at a vision like that? Sasuke moved towards the blond thing and softly caressed his whiskered cheek. “Stupid, dobe…”

“Yourself teme…I’m sorry.” came a sleepy voice. Naruto was mumbling half asleep and barely coherent. Then those blue eyes opened a little and stared at the Uchiha determinedly. “If you want, I’ll move to another room…”

Sasuke shook his head. “No it’s all right. I’m sorry too. I guess I overreacted. It was just some fun, dobe…I didn’t expect you to get worked up about it…”

Naruto opened his eyes fully, mostly awake now, though a part of him just wanted to snuggle back into the covers. “Gosh, it was such a stupid argument. I didn’t think you would take it so seriously, but then again…I guess you could. I don’t think you’d ever fall in my expectations, because I don’t have any expectations of you… so you just misunderstood it. Can we make up then?”

Sasuke nodded, before leaning forwards and softly kissing him. “Yeah… and well about the arm. I just had a fight with someone. Some dude cornered me so I gave as good as I got…you should see him, he’s still at the hospital, so I guess he’s loads worse off. His friends got in the way…that’s why the arm… and I also kind of got suspended for three days…so the rest of the week is a holiday…”

Naruto smirked. “Only you Sasuke. I guess I’m the only one who can stop you from being a psycho killer.” He preened and then his exhaustion caught up with him again. He kissed Sasuke once more before falling asleep.

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Kyuubi came in late; work had been really strenuous, he was looking forward to falling asleep with Itachi right after he got himself some dinner. A tantalizing smell greeted him as he entered, caressing his nose and leading him towards the kitchen. Itachi was sitting at the counter with a glass of juice, watching the cook as she stirred some kind of a sauce in a pot. Kyuubi walked over and rubbed the Uchiha’s head, grinning at him. “Hey you looked wiped out, long day?”

“I could ask you the same thing; you look literally wiped out…so I take it we won’t be having any fun tonight?” Itachi asked him, his eyes still glued to the hypnotic way in which the spoon stirred the sauce.

Kyuubi slipped his arms around the Uchiha and leaned into him with all his weight. “No, love…no sex.” He ignored the choking noise the cook made. “But cuddling is fun, too! Can we have dinner? And what about Naruto and Sasuke…they made up yet?”

Itachi frowned, leaning back into Kyuubi’s arms, looking up into the eyes of the red head bending over him. “Sasuke got into a fight…broke his arm. He and Naruto are talking now…so they should have made up.” his voice deepened in anger. “I can’t believe one argument made all the improvement Sasuke’s made, vanish in a flash! Sasuke went right back to his old self after that! His school called while I was at work…they’ve suspended him for three days! He’s getting too attached to your brother!”

Kyuubi shook his head in derision. “Kids these days…how troublesome!”

“Yeah grandpa… I ain’t too long ago that you were one of us kids.” Came a voice. They turned to see Naruto being wheeled in by Sasuke. Though he raven still looked sullen and grim, his eyes were soft…especially when he looked at his blond. Kyuubi smiled. They were really sweet together.

Dinner was served as soon as it was ready. The cook developed affection for Kyuubi too, and wondered if she could work for him and Naruto someday. Kyuubi charmed her out of her apron and got thumped by a jealous Itachi. Naruto warned Itachi that Kyuubi was a womanizer and offered to give him tips on how to control him. That got Kyuubi pouting for through the rest of dinner.

Then they all trooped up to bed. Naruto helped Sasuke undress and Sasuke helped him. They made it to their pants and then decided to just get to bed, as they were too tired to get their shirts on. Sasuke put Naruto on the right side of the bed, so as not to hurt his arm and snuggled into them. Sandman visited not long after and left a quiet house in his wake.

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Haku woke up early. He didn’t know what woke him up, but he did know that he was currently in need of some water. Haku drank copious amounts of water…he couldn’t survive without his two litres for the day. He padded down to the kitchen and drank his glass of water, when he noticed a taxi drive up. It was still five in the morning, so he wondered who it could be; he watched the person step out and walk to the door. Before he could ring the bell, Haku opened the door. He knew a burglar could never get this far through the Uchiha security. The door swung inwards to reveal a short redheaded, eye-liner laden boy from whom and aura of rage steadily pulsed.

Haku noticed that the boy’s clothes were mud spattered, there were huge suitcases behind him and that his green eyes were trying to bore a hole through his head. He cleared his throat and gave the boy a kind, concerned look. “May I help you?”

The boy’s glare intensified, his lips moving into a snarl. Haku felt the water he’d drunk start to evaporate. “Where is that jerk, Sasuke?”

Haku’s eyes widened. “I believe h is still in bed, snuggled up with his cute blond cuddle-bun, safe in dreamland.”

“Not safe for much longer.” The boy ground out before pushing past Haku, leaving him to bring up the suitcases. The boy made his way at full speed to the raven’s bedroom and burst in…then he stopped. Sasuke was snuggled up with an arm and a leg thrown around a blond thing, his face buried in the blond hair. The door banged against the wall and Sasuke’s eyes shot open. He stared at he boy groggily, before they widened in groggy surprise.

“Gaara?”

The red head blinked and then seemed to remember why he’d rushed all the way upstairs. His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Uchiha!” seeing Sasuke’s blank look, he decided to elaborate. “Why didn’t you pick me up? I waited for an hour asshole…then I went to find a cab, got splashed, got pummeled by some fat woman and now I see that you didn’t even remember! I never thought you’d forget about me once you got yourself a boyfriend…”

Sasuke was gaping, his beautifully carved jaw practically hanging open. “I…I didn’t know you were coming! Come to think of it…why didn’t you call or inform me? Why are you here?”

Gaara’s lips turned down. “I did inform you. Actually I informed your blond bunny over there, don’t tell me he forgot to mention it?”

Sasuke’s eyebrows rose; he turned to Naruto and began shaking him slightly. “Naruto…dobe, wake up.” he gasped when two arms encircled his neck and pulled him down. Then his mouth was plundered, regardless of the fact that he was almost wind milling in embarrassment. When he finally gave in and started kissing back, the lips and arms left, curling around their owner, who burrowed more purposefully into Sasuke’s neck (Sasuke was thankful that only the top half could burrow…the blond never realized how painful or arousing it was.) and a blond mumble was heard. “I ‘ope you’re sats’fied, I’m too sleepy to make out!”

Sasuke looked at the blond head dazedly. “Huh?” then his eyes rested on a certain surprised smirking redhead, which led to a red hot blush rising, which in turn led to him shaking the blond in a more vigorous way (miracle that Naruto’s head stayed on!!).

Again it rose…and two bleary blue eyes opened a little. “Wha?” Sasuke pointed, Naruto’s eyes followed. Then there was a squeak and a blush. Like the lava building up in a volcano, red built up in the boy’s face until… “WHO ARE YOU? PERVERT!” the Uzumaki had just noticed that the redhead had witnessed his boldness and had decided to announce it to the world.

Gaara made sure he was still in the room and hadn’t gotten blown away. Then he disinterestedly eyed the blond up and down, not answering him. Sasuke gawped at them both…Gaara decided that his best friend had gone pretty deaf to be able to withstand that in his ear. Then he saw Sasuke let out a snort of laughter, before bursting into full-fledged laughs. Regardless of the fact, that he had not seen the Uchiha laugh in all their time as friends, Gaara bestowed them with a murderous glare. He would commend the Uzumaki later.

“I am Gaara. I told you I’d be visiting, when we spoke on the phone, if you remember…you said you’d give Sasuke the message…” Gaara stated witheringly.

Naruto’s eyes widened and then his face slipped into a sheepish expression. “Oh…yeah. I’m sorry, Gaara-san. I admit it was my mistake. You see Sasuke came in all beat up yesterday…and we’d had a fight, so I clean forgot about it. Shit!”

Sasuke wondered what Gaara would do now. Usually the redhead was known for murdering people who’d disobeyed him. Sasuke shifted getting ready for any form of assault that the redhead might try on the blond. My Naruto…I must protect!

Gaara cleared his throat. “Oh. All right then. I think I’ll go get settled in the spare room. See you after you get some sleep!” and he walked off before either boy could say a word.

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A week had passed since Gaara arrived…nothing much had happened, they played arcade games and suck like. This fine morning they all woke up late; due to which there was a mad rush, because Kyuubi and Itachi had to get to work on time and they kept tripping over each other. Kyuubi tried to molest Itachi on the banister and they fell down a few steps getting well and truly bruised in the process. Their need for urgency spread to Sasuke, so he and Gaara ran around trying to make sure they had everything they needed, with Naruto shouting out instructions in the background. Finally they left, leaving chaos in their wake. Sasuke left for school and the boys went back to bed. Lucky Gaara didn’t have school for the next two weeks…and plus he was being home schooled….so this was vacation since his tutor was out.

When Sasuke returned, he carried Naruto to the table before collapsing onto a chair. Gaara sat down next to Naruto while Sasuke sat opposite. Sasuke brought out the chocolate pastries he had got for Naruto. The blond boy placed three onto his plate…all rich and covered in chocolate.

Sasuke watched him with dread before deciding he needed to sop it. . “Dobe, that’s way too much sugar for you…Gaara get two of those away from him, we’ll go crazy trying to keep him amused for the rest if he gets hyper. Naruto gets sugar high way too easily!!”

Naruto stuck his tongue out at Sasuke, only to find that his plate had indeed disappeared to return with just one pastry. He pouted and wondered whether to throw a tantrum, but decided against it. He’d only known Gaara for a week and it was enough time to deduce the red head would not take kindly to tantrums…he’d be tortured and killed. Gaara really needed to get a boyfriend, so he could mellow out like Sasuke. He smiled at his pastry…he kind of knew he perfect person for Gaara…a very lonely person who had just gone through a heart break and needed some loving. But the question was did the person bend both ways…thinking Naruto nodded. Yes he did…

Sasuke and Gaara saw the sinister smile lurking around the blond angel’s mouth. Then the said angel looked up at Gaara with a brilliant smile. “How would you like to go on a double date with me and Sasuke?”

The other two sweat-dropped. Naruto just continued to eat his pastry patiently waiting for an answer. Gaara stared at the blond wondering if he was an alien from space instead of a cue blond with a chocolate covered mouth. “D…date?” he spluttered.

Naruto nodded. “Yeah, you know…a date, where people go hang out together because they want to get mushy while people are watching and showcase their mushiness to the world…”

Sasuke frowned, he didn’t showcase his mushiness o the world…it was confined to their bedroom…though he did let Naruto scream it to the world…before he could speak the thought aloud; Naruto's phone began to ring.

He watched the blond pick it up. Naruto looked a little happy, but his expression started to change slowly…it morphed from joy to shock to joy again and then stayed in a mixture of dazed, shocked and happy. He put he phone down slowly, staring at the remains of his pastry. Sasuke quelled the urge to shake him and opted to use a nice gentle tone instead.

“Usuratonkachi! What happened?”

Naruto slowly turned to him and blinked. “My dad…my dad’s coming around…”
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A/N: yeah I know…cliffie once more…well…too bad. I’ll have the next chappie up real soon ok? Now you guys must review…Gimme inspiration and you’ll get chapters as soon as possible.

P.S: my story ‘The Bastard’ on TONFA’s alternate reality award. It tied with Scars.

Yeah…so Ja ne!!

Taka

MERRY CHRISTMAS (BELATED) AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!