Insomnia

XIV

Neji woke to the smell of yakitori. For a moment, he believed he had been taken back to the Hyuuga compound and his hand flew to his stomach. He was grateful to be lying down or he was sure he’d have fainted in relief at feeling the tell tale bump. Slowly he rose, pulling on the robe TenTen had given him, and quietly made his way to the kitchen. Naruto, who he had assumed had been the one cooking, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, someone else stood before the stove, carefully measuring sauce into a pan. Neji couldn’t help the smirk that escaped.

“Didn’t know you could cook, Gaara.”

“Then prepare to be spoiled.” came the curt reply. “Now shut up and sit down.”

“Guinea pig?”

“Of course.”

Neji couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face as he took a seat at the table, mouth already watering. He heard the click of the burners turning off and watched Gaara plate the wonderful-smelling yakitori for him. Gaara sat across from him, folded his arms over his chest and waited. Neji watched him for a moment before he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, savouring the taste with an uncharacteristic mewl. The redhead relaxed visibly then and sighed.

“What are you tense about?” Neji asked, licking his fingers free of sauce.

“Would you enjoy my cooking for one thing.”

Neji’s hook his head. “No. I hate it. That’s why I keep eating, so I can make you feel bad.”

Gaara’s lips twitched. “Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean I can’t violate you.”

Neji relaxed a bit more, smiling. It was this he missed, this banter back and forth, idle threats covering up their tree feelings. He shook his head and finished off his meal, sitting back with a satisfied smile.

“Who’s Kazekage, then?”

“Temari. She’ll hate me for a while, but once she realizes she is God, she’ll love me again.”

Neji winced. “Poor Suna.”

Gaara grunted and rose to take care of the dishes before he moved over to Neji and jerked the brunette’s chair away from the table. Neji yelped and watched Gaara kneel between his legs only to press an ear against the bump of his stomach. Neji placed his hand on Gaara’s head and smiled.

“You can’t hear him yet.”

Gaara nuzzled the bump, giving a short growl. Neji only sighed and let the redhead do as he pleased. It didn’t matter if Gaara couldn’t hear the small life inside of Neji; what mattered was that it was there, growing within Neji.

Allowing him to see, Neji realized a moment later. Gaara must have felt the gentle jerk of realization from his lover, for he drew back and stared at the brunette with a raised eyebrow. Neji shook his head and closed his eyes, willing the tears away. Gaara gave him a warning snarl, one Neji replied with one of his own, before he finally looked the Suna shinobi in the eye.

“Our baby,” Neji began, “is letting me see the world.”

Gaara blinked before understanding dawned on him. “Chakra.”

Neji nodded. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize it sooner.”

Gaara shrugged and pulled Neji into a loving kiss. “You’re pregnant. Forgetfulness happens.”

Neji snorted but remained silent. He had no way of knowing if this would be a permanent phenomenon – his sight returned because of the baby. So would it remain? Or would it disappear when the baby was born? Neji wasn’t aware he’d begun to cry until Gaara enveloped him in his arms and held him tight. Gaara said nothing, just let Neji cry, soothing him with only a light hug.

“No matter what happens,” Gaara whispered. “I will protect you.”

Neji nodded and clung, closing his eyes as he breathed in the scent of sand, wind, and blood. Only the scent of blood remained the strongest, even after Neji had exhaled, but he forced any macabre thoughts from his mind and focused on his life now. On his family.