Taiikusai

It's been over a month since I updated, I know. And I apologize to those of you who are following this story quite regularly. At the same time, I must say I was a bit underwhelmed by the lack of response to my last few chapters. Is my story getting worse or are fewer people reading it? Constructive criticisms *are* welcome. Anyhow, here is a long chapter to perhaps move the plot along.


This one takes place over a few days, so I marked the time changes. I hope it doesn't interrupt the flow of the story...


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Jealousy ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


“Hey, sorry I missed your call earlier,” Naruto’s voice came through the slight static. “You called me while I was working. Kakashi-sensei must have it in for me, apprenticing me out to this crazy guy. My boss is so weird.”

Gaara stared at the large moon. It made the sky turn a surprising shade of blue. Almost like a certain someone’s eyes. Naruto continued to ramble on about his part time job. Gaara gave a few sounds to acknowledge that he was listening. He shifted a little in his desk chair.

“So what have you been up to?” Gaara was quiet for a moment. Sitting miserably, daydreaming about you? Finding new ways to jack off without getting caught? Resisting the urge to run over there and fuck you senseless? “Temari is making me exercise.” His eyes looked at the moon without really seeing it.

“Training? For the sports festival?” Naruto’s laughter echoed through the room. Gaara clamped his hand over the receiver to try to muffle it. “I’ve been training too!” His voice was edged with that familiar competitive spirit. “I run with the track team every morning!”

“So do I,” Gaara replied flatly. He listened with a kind of impatience, wanting to ask Naruto about a few concerns, but not wanting to sound paranoid. So he waited.

“Yeah, I know, but our relay is SO gonna beat yours. Even Sasuke-teme has gotten into the spirit! He’s been training with us nearly every day this past week! I think he’s finally gotten over his weird crush thing! Things feel almost normal between us!”

Gaara’s eyes narrowed. Uchiha Sasuke was not the forgiving type. He knew, because he was just the same. “How is the signboard?” Gaara tried to change the subject. He didn’t want to hear about the Uchiha just yet.

“Great! I have the whole thing mapped out on the panels. I’m still filling in the details. Sakura can’t draw so she’s mostly there to supervise for now and Sasuke mostly brings in supplies when we need it. They’ll be more useful when it’s time to paint!”

Gaara felt slightly irritated by how cheerful Naruto sounded. They hadn’t seen each other for a week and yet Naruto didn’t sound nearly as affected as he’d hoped. Was he the only one upset by their separation? Gaara grit his teeth. He ached to ask Naruto outright, but it seemed weak even to him. Since when was Sabaku no Gaara so sentimental? Temari would laugh at him if she knew.

“Gaara? Hello? Moshi mosh.”

Gaara’s attention snapped back to the voice on the phone. “Huh?”

“I said I couldn’t wait to show you a picture. I asked if I could send you one of me with the poster or if you’d send me one of you in the sand dunes. Aren’t you listening?”

Gaara sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Sorry. Temari knocked on my door. That’s fine.”

Naruto was quiet on the other end. Gaara didn’t attempt to fill the silence.

“Ne,… Gaara. Is something wrong?” Naruto’s voice was suddenly very subdued. He seemed to be listening carefully for once instead of running his mouth off.

Gaara could have answered that question a hundred different ways.

“No. Just tired.”

Naruto was slow to respond. “Okay. Are you sure? You didn’t get heat stroke did you? Are you drinking enough water or taking your vitamins? Are you sleeping at night? It’s important to sleep you know. Don’t tell me you caught a cold!” He laughed at his own comment.

“No. I think it’s just the summer heat. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay then! Should I let you go then? If you’re tired, then it’s no fun teasing you.” Gaara cracked a smile on his end of the phone.

“It’s fine. I like the sound of your voice.” Naruto chuckled.

“I’ll remember that next time you tell me to shut up.” Gaara couldn’t help laughing at that one and his bad mood lifted a bit. It was hard to stay moody around Naruto for long. Was he being silly about the whole thing?

**** Two days later ****

The sunlight glinted off of his golden locks. The blond smiled easily, laughing at something he couldn’t hear and aimed a punch at the brunette’s shoulder. It was easily dodged and reciprocated.

Neji watched as Naruto seemed to yell his complaint, laughing before he chased his partner to get his revenge. Both boys were smiling, laughing at the other, though Sasuke wasn’t as overt about it- always hiding his smiles behind cynical smirks. Neji could tell he was enjoying himself.

Neji wasn’t smiling.

Standing from the shade of the club house, he watched the two boys jog laps on the field. With hair that bright, Naruto was like a flame in the dark. You couldn’t miss him. Nor could you miss his pale, dark haired companion- the famed Uchiha.

Neji’s thumb brushed over the phone in his pocket. He hesitated for a moment before slipping his hand back out. No, no need to raise unnecessary alarms. I’ll just keep an eye on things. He clenched his fingers slightly, reaching instead to his bag and pulled out a small package.


Naruto tossed his shoes into the locker, ignoring the resounding crash against the metal and quickly toweled himself down. “I totally lost track of time! Sakura is gonna KILL me!” He pulled off his shirt, giving it a light whiff and instantly regretted it. “That’s going home today.”

Neji slipped in quietly. He peered around a row of lockers and was greeted with Naruto’s backside. Sasuke stood to the left, oblivious to his presence. He seemed a bit… preoccupied with checking out Naruto. It seems Naruto had been toning up.

Neji waited until Naruto pulled his shirt on before wrapping a knuckle against a metal side. “Neji-sempai!” Naruto beamed. “Neji-sempai! I haven’t seen you in days! Where have you BEEN? I’ve been dying to ask you to train with us!”

Neji lifted a brow. “Us?” he shot a look at the Uchiha. He looked just as unenthusiastic as Neji felt.

“Yeah! Sasuke and I have been training for over a week now! I told you, remember? Before your family vacation. How was Hokkaido by the way? Did you bring me some crab?”

“No, I’m afraid not,” Neji laughed. “But I brought you a small souvenir.” He pulled out a small package from his pocket. Inside the small bag was a cellphone strap with a smiling crab dangling from the end. “I hope you’re willing to accept this instead.” Naruto burst out into laughter.

“Cheapskate! Where’s my king crab?” he laughed.

“Still in Hokkaido. Thought I decided to be generous and also brought you a cup of Hokkaido style seafood cup ramen.” He turned his body to pretend to leave, but his eyes never left Naruto. “But you’re probably not interested since it’s not real crab.”

Naruto was practically salivating at the mouth. “I’m interested! I’m INTERESTED!!” He bounced up and down and made puppy dog eyes.

Neji laughed. He held up a hand to calm Naruto down. “Okay, okay. I’ll bring it up to the art room later. Is that alright with you? Besides, I’d like to see the signboard.”

“THE ART ROOM!” Naruto shrieked like an alarm had just gone off. “Sakura! She’ll KILL me!” Naruto tossed everything into his locker before slamming it shut. “See ya later sempai!” He dashed for the door.

Neji smiled at him as he left. He stopped smiling when he remembered the other junior present. “Don’t you have to run, too?”

Sasuke glared indifferently. Neji knew he was irritated simply through experience. “I have student council business. Sakura cuts me some slack.” He calmly put his things away and shouldered his bag.

“Then shall we walk to the student council room together?” Neji smiled that fast food service “May I help you” smile. “It seems you and Naruto-kun are becoming good friends again. It’s wonderful how these festivals bring us all together, isn’t it?” He let an edge slip into his voice.

Sasuke eyed him distrusting. “Hn.”


Naruto looked forward to lunch time like a small child waiting for Christmas. “Is it noon yet?”

“No. Keep painting.” Sakura huffed. “And if you ask me one more time, this bucket will go over your head!” she pointed a brush at the green paint by her side.

“But Neji-sempai is bringing me ramen! Hokkaido ramen!” Naruto pouted.

“I KNOW!” Sakura growled. “You told me a hundred times already!” She waved a brush at him menacingly. Naruto grumbled. “How is Gaara?” Sakura attempted to change the subject. “It’s been over a week, right? How much longer before he’s back?”

Naruto scrunched up his face, pondering. He held his brush in one hand while he counted fingers on the other.

“Including today, five days. He should be back to school on Monday.”

“That’s not so bad, is it? Are you excited?” Sakura put her brush down to look at the smiling boy across from her.

“Hell yeah! He has to be the girl on our next date!”

Sakura shook her head and chuckled in amusement. “You two switch?” She looked at him curiously, taking up her brush again.

“More like compete. Neither of us is willing to be girly, so it’s sort of a competition between us.”

“Testing your manliness against each other?” She threw in sarcastically.

“Yeah!” Naruto agreed, missing the sarcasm.

“Is that why you won’t take it up the butt? It accosts your manliness?”

“SAKURA!!” Naruto’s eyes went wide. “I thought you promised not to mention that at school!” He blushed before stubbornly picking up his brush and focused a little too closely on his work. Sakura giggled at how genuinely embarrassed he was.

“Okay, okay I’m sorry.” She would have commented further had not the door opened at that moment. In walked Hyuuga Neji with a Styrofoam cup that was steaming from the half open lid. He crossed the room carefully so as not to step on any of the panels and placed the cup down on the table with a pair of chopsticks.

Naruto jumped to his feet, eyes still glued to that steaming cup and dropped his brush onto the newspaper covered floor carelessly. “My ramen!!”

Neji gave him space and chose to walk around the room while Naruto dashed for the table and picked up the cup quickly. “You’re the best Neji-sempai! Itadakimaaaasu!” Sakura shook her head in disgust at the loud slurping sounds coming from behind her. She went back to her work, paying little heed to Neji’s presence.

“These are incredibly detailed,” he interrupted. “Will you actually be able to finish it by the festival?” He paused at a particularly detailed panel.

“Sure!” Naruto piped up between mouthfuls of noodles.

“Eww, Naruto, don’t talk with your mouth full.” Sakura made a face. She redirected her attention to Neji to prevent Naruto from attempting to speak further. “Naruto is painting the finer details. I can do the general bulk of it and we’re not sure if Sasuke is artistic or not so we let him paint wide spaces… with solid colors.” She glanced at a panel that was supposedly grass, and the trunk of a tree. It lacked the detail of the panels Sakura and Naruto were working on. “Between the three of us, we should manage.”

“I see.” Neji nodded as he took in all the panels. “Looks promising.” He took one more glance across the room. “There have been no… problems of late?” He deliberated over the last few words. Naruto smiled noodles in mouth, and shook his head.

“Things have been great! We’re all getting along really well! We make a good team, right Sakura?”

Sakura supplied a small smile. “That’s right.” Neji somehow had the impression that Sakura didn’t agree quite as strongly as Naruto.

“You should totally join our training! Sasuke and I have been running mornings AND after school. I can almost beat him too!”

Neji smiled. “What a wonderful idea. I was far too lazy in Hokkaido. What time do you meet?”

“I bet you I can beat you this time!” Naruto smiled as he walked backwards along the track. He grinned at Sasuke mischievously.

“I know you can’t,” Sasuke tried to sound bored.

“Yeah? Well how about we make a wager?” He grinned foxily. “If I beat you, you have to buy me ramen.”

Sasuke smirked. “And when you lose?”

“Hrm,” Naruto pondered. He turned around to walk alongside Sasuke. “What do you want?”

Sasuke could have thought up so many answers. He smirked. “When I win, you can…”

“Neji-sempai!” Naruto cut in, walking past Sasuke to greet the approaching figure. Sasuke scowled. He watched the approaching junior and noticed that his long hair was up in a pony tail and the school uniform had been replaced with P.E. clothes. “Are you going to train with us?” Naruto practically bounced up and down. “If I beat Sasuke, he has to buy me ramen! Will you referee?” Neji looked at Sasuke with a mild yet oddly smug smile. What he was so smug over, Sasuke couldn’t tell.

“Sounds like a fun bet. Though you just had ramen for lunch…” He ruffled Naruto’s hair. Sasuke didn’t fail to notice that the Hyuuga’s eyes were on him as he did so.

“But you can never have enough ramen!” Naruto ducked away and laughed.

Neji smiled. The two looked so buddy-buddy it made Sasuke ill.

“How about we all race? Winner gets to choose where to eat and gets to be treated.”

Sasuke failed to hide his disgust. Luckily Naruto wasn’t paying attention.

“Yeah! That sounds awesome! Yosh! I’m gonna leave BOTH of you in the dust!”

Stupid dobe.

Sasuke scowled at the smug look Hyuuga shot his way. “What’s wrong Uchiha? You’re not up for the challenge?” Sasuke glared daggers into the Hyuuga’s retreating back before following both boys to the starting line.

So much for his plans.


~*~*~*~*~ The following Saturday~*~*~*~*~

Hyuuga had watched Sasuke like a hawk. While the simple blond had been unaware of his intentions, the Hyuuga made it very clear that he was not.

Every glance, every gesture, the smallest response or word had been scrutinized. Naruto certainly had protective friends… and it pissed off Sasuke to no end.

Sasuke sat on the bleachers watching the track meet progress or rather, pretended to as he pondered how to spend his last few days with Naruto before Gaara returned. They had had fun the past week or so, despite the strict supervision and there were even moments when things had felt almost normal between them. It was like Naruto had totally forgotten about all the bad stuff and had given it his all to make things better.

If only he could make Naruto realize how good things could be between them. What could Sabaku possibly have that he didn’t? Except maybe a tattoo… but that was irrelevant.

Sasuke had casually mentioned the track meet on Saturday and made the vague insinuation that he planned to watch. He threw in a few obligatory student council errands to confirm his intentions of going to school on Saturday and Naruto had caught the bait. They agreed to meet in the afternoon since Naruto was working in the morning. He had promised to try his best to arrive in the early afternoon.

Sasuke checked his watch. It was almost three. Naruto should be here soon. Sasuke smiled- for once he’d be free of Hyuuga. It would be just him and Naruto again.

“Sasuke! Sasuke-kun!” A blonde haired girl came running up to him. “Are you alone?”

Sasuke averted his eyes in annoyance, hoping she’d get the point. “Sasuke?”

“I’m waiting for someone.”

“Oh, well, that’s fine. If you don’t mind being helpful while you wait, I need one more pair of hands to pull out the hurdles. Those things are half my size,” she gestured with her hands, bringing them up to her waist. Sasuke was slightly relieved that she wasn’t hitting on him. He sighed a bit before getting onto his feet.

“Where do you need them?”


Naruto pedaled quickly on his bike, smiling when the school’s gates came into view. He rushed to his designated slot, locked up his bike and ran to the field. He smiled when he saw the next line of runners prepping for the next race. He hadn’t missed the entire meet after all. It was a big day for the track team.

Naruto scoured the bleachers, looking for Sasuke but he was no where in sight. He looked back out at the field, the runners just lining up and ready to go. They took their positions, waited for the signal and were off before the echo from the gun faded.

Naruto watched the boys dash across the track at rapid speeds. The crowd cheered them on. It was during this race that Naruto noticed a figure carrying hurdles with both arms. He recognized the profile and went bounding away to join him.


Sasuke noticed Naruto from a distance and scowled. “Here dobe, take some, will you?” He gestured to the hurdles he was hauling and Naruto relieved him of a few.

“Been waiting long?” he grinned.

Sasuke gave him an annoyed glare. “Long enough for Ino to recruit me into being her errand boy. She says she can’t find Shikamaru anywhere. Put those down there and help me get the rest of them.”

Naruto was surprisingly obedient.

A few more trips later and they had managed to bring out all the hurdles. The club managers were already spreading them out when they returned.

Ino ran up to them after putting the last hurdle in place.

“Thanks for the help boys. You really saved us. Some of the club members were a no show today. Probably running away from their duties!” she scowled before seeming to remember who she was talking to. “Um, anyways, think you two can help us with one more errand?” she tried to smile sweetly. Sasuke was skeptical, but Naruto, ever the enthusiastic one, quickly piped up.

“Sure! Just let us know how we can help!” Sasuke didn’t like the way Ino grinned.

“The club room is a bit of a mess and I can’t get out the spare cones. I need some of the big ones but also some of the smaller ones but they’re both stashed along the far wall next to the shelves. Think you two can dig them out?”

Naruto smiled and gave her a thumbs up. “No problem! Where do you need them?”

“Just bring them out here for me.”

“Alright! We’ll have them for you in no time!” and he turned to jog back to the club house.

Ino smiled. Sasuke gave her one reproachful glance before following the loud blond.


“She didn’t tell me they were BURIED under all this crap! Messy my ASS!” Naruto and Sasuke gaped at what could only be called a mountain of sports equipment, old sigh boards and miscellaneous things that stood between them and the spare cones at the back of the wall. “Oh god, no WONDER Shikamaru ran away.”

Sasuke sighed and began to dig in. He started with a rather large signboard and stood it up against another wall. “You’re the one that had to volunteer us. So stop whining and get to work.”

They quickly went about removing the objects in their path, but were slightly stumped by what to do with them. Once they had managed to work out a system, things went slightly smoother until Naruto decided to complain some more.

“It’s SO hot in here. This club house is like a SAUNA!” he wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand. “I think I’m gonna fry in here.”

“If you work faster, you’ll be out quicker.”

“If I don’t pass out from heat exhaustion first!” Naruto put down a bag of soccer balls in the proper bin before crossing his arms to tug at the hem of his shirt. Sasuke panicked a little when the blond continued to pull the shirt up over his head.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m taking off my shirt. What does it look like? I’m sweating like a pig.”

Sasuke’s eyes slid down to his well toned chest noting the beads of sweat clinging to him. “You can’t walk around topless at a school function.”

“We’re in the clubhouse. I’ll put my shirt back on when we go back outside. Geez you’re prissy.”

Sasuke tried to keep himself preoccupied with the task at hand, but his eyes couldn’t help gravitating to the tan flash at his perusal. He watched as Naruto worked, unable to tear his gaze away from the firm muscles rippling underneath golden skin. It was worse when Naruto turned around and he could feast on his firm abs and the line of pale hair stretching from bellybutton to the hem of his pants. A thin sheen of sweat covered it and Sasuke imagined himself licking it off.

“Naruto.” Sasuke had managed to just reach the corner of large cones and paused before pulling one out.

“Yeah?” Naruto picked up a mini goal post and turned to stack it on top of the others in the pile he had created.

“Please put your shirt back on.”

“Huh? Why?” Naruto spared him a glance before returning making sure his pile was balanced.

“Because if you don’t, I may do something we’ll both regret.”

Naruto stopped and looked at Sasuke questioning. “What are you talking about? We’ve been swimming in P.E. since June. What are you freaking out over?” Naruto turned back around to look at his pile of goal posts and adjust them.

Sasuke’s anger simmered. Was Naruto that insensitive or was did he simply dismiss his feelings so easily?


Naruto grimaced when his waist was slammed into the poles, Sasuke’s hands trapping him on both sides. He could feel Sasuke’s body pressed against his back, and the taller boys mouth at his ear.

“Did you forget what happened during final’s week? Did you think this buddy buddy act meant I was willing to forget it all?”

Naruto’s shock quickly turned into anger. His fingers clutched the bars digging into his waist and he pushed off, forcing Sasuke to take a step back. Wheeling around to face his assailant, he let Sasuke see just how angry he was.

“Act? You think this was some stupid act? I thought we were becoming friends again! Like we used to be!”

“Did you really think that was possible?” Naruto felt Sasuke’s body press against him again, dark eyes staring down a straight nose to challenge him. “Did you really think I would sit here quietly on the sidelines and let Sabaku have you?”

“I’m not some object to be passed around, asshole.” Naruto practically spit out.

Whatever retort Sasuke had in mind was cut short when a ring tone sounded from nearby. Startled, Naruto pushed Sasuke away from him and reached into his pocket to quickly fish out his phone. “It’s Gaara!” he seemed slightly amazed. “Heh, he must have a sixth sense,” the blond smiled.

Sasuke smacked the phone out of his hand and it clattered as it slid against the floor.

“Hey you bastard! What was that for?”

“No interruptions. We’re gonna settle this once and for all.”

“There’s nothing to settle you jerk, not let me go before I make you.” Naruto balled up a fist threatening.

Sasuke smirked predatorily and pressed their hips together. “Oh, I’d love to see you try.”

Whether it was the gods enjoying wreaking havoc on the small beings called mortals or a serious case of bad luck, it was just at this moment that Ino decided to check up on her two helpers. Needless to say, the last thing she expected when she entered the club room was to see a topless Naruto being molested by the most popular boy in school. It didn’t take a genius to figure out why two boys would be up against each other, hip to hip and Ino would have fainted if she wasn’t entirely stoked by having the juiciest bit of gossip this school had ever seen.

“Hey boys, I was wondering…” all three members paused for different reasons. Sasuke paused in horror at having been caught in such a compromising position, Naruto’s mouth dropped to the floor for having been caught in what looked much worse than it really was and Ino… well, her moments of speechlessness were few and far between. It took her a few moments for her brain to register what she was actually seeing before the wheels in her head began turning again.

Sasuke had quickly pushed away from Naruto upon her entrance while Naruto still stood, shocked.

“I was just wondering what was taking so long… but I’ll, eh hem, let you get back to work.”

She promptly turned around and left the club room, making sure to close the door behind her.

A few minutes later, both boys emerged, both with shirts on, and a stack of cones in tow.

Prefectures away, Gaara tried calling Naruto again, but the phone rang until the familiar voice spoke up asking him to leave a message.

Naruto had told him he would only be working in the morning. He should have been out by now. Gaara wondered if something had gone wrong.


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A/N: I just hope Mako doesn't kill me for this. -_-+
Please R&R