Unrequited

I gotta say, I'm a little floored by all the reviews I received. That's more than I've ever received for a first chapter. Thanks to everyone who dropped a line. :)

To Devils Advocate 3- I can't promise Naruto will be bottom. And it's "uke" :) It's from the verb "ukeru" (to receive). But thanks for the advice all the same ^^

Now on with the story!


Unrequited Part 2

*Gaara*

Nothing more of crushes was said that night. Naruto seemed intent on being his usual cheerful self, but Gaara had noticed the strain. When Naruto smiled, it always started in his eyes, but tonight Gaara watched as only his mouth spread wide in what he was supposed to accept as a smile.

Gaara offered merely a quirk of his own mouth, frightened by how much such a small action could cause so much pain. But still, he listened quietly as Naruto went on about his travels, his training, and everything else that occupied his life in Konoha, or the trivial details at least. Gaara focused on the view of his village, blanketed in a clear desert sky, trying to look at anything but that fake smile. Even his own hands, clenched around the balcony banister, was easier to look at.

Gaara wanted to say something. He wanted to let Naruto know how much he understood the boy’s hurt- how he understood about more than just the pain of being a jinchuuriki. But tonight was not the night, and Gaara would wait.

Naruto turned in early that night. There would be no late night talks, or hours pitting kage bunshins against sand clones. There would be no games or attempted pranks. Naruto had excused himself early, high tailing it out of the Kazekage’s office before Gaara could protest.

Gaara didn’t feel like sleeping and so he found himself in his brother Kankuro’s bedroom, examining his latest puppet, peeking at whatever scroll he was working on and generally idling about while his mind kept turning over the words said in the ramen shop. Gaara hadn’t missed the way Naruto’s gaze followed Uchiha. He hadn’t missed the tone of his voice as he said that word… unrequited. And it hurt. Generally being with Naruto always made him happy, made him exhilarated. A day spent with Naruto left him practically on a high for the next few days. He suspected his staff noticed and thus requested the shinobi’s presence so often.

But today was a new experience. For the first time, Naruto seemed truly upset. And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. He wanted to comfort him, or do something that could possibly take the hurt away, and it hurt him to know that he couldn’t offer solace to one who was so dear to him. It hurt that it wasn’t him that the bright eyed, blond haired shinobi garnered happiness from. Wasn’t he one of Naruto’s precious people, too? So why wasn’t his acknowledgement good enough?

The sound of footsteps echoed lightly down the corridor. Gaara suspected that Kankuro was returning home from his date. Having turned on only one desk lamp, he knew Kankuro wouldn’t be alarmed by someone’s presence in his room. Gaara sat on the rumpled bed, brushing away a wooden hand while he waited.

Kankuro opened the door a bit quickly, eyes darting across the room and leaping when he noticed Gaara sitting on the bed. He let out a big sigh, hand resting on his chest.

“You freaked me out.” He stepped inside the room, closing the door and locking it. “I thought maybe Uzumaki was trying to get revenge on me or something.” He threw off his black t-shirt, dropping it onto the floor before rummaging in his closet for pajamas. “So what’s up squirt? What are you doing here?”

“I need advice.” Kankuro looked at him worriedly before his gaze slid to the wooden hand at Gaara’s knee.

His face broke out into a big smile. “You want to learn how to make puppets?” His voice rose in excitement. “About time you saw the merits.”

“No. I need… personal advice.” Gaara’s eyes slid to the floor. Years ago, this would have never happened. Years ago, Gaara would have killed Kankuro rather than open up to him, but over the years, they had become more than just blood related kin. They had become brothers.

Kankuro frowned a bit, rubbing his hand through his hair before sitting on the bed next to Gaara. “Must be pretty bad for you to wait for me. What’s up?”

Gaara ignored the dip in the bed from Kankuro’s newly added weight. He breathed slowly, trying to clear his head and figure out the best way to explain.

“Do you know what an unrequited crush is?” He focused on a bit of scroll peeking out from the drawer of Kankuro’s desk. He had no idea what it contained, but it was somehow preferable to letting his brother see the emotions he couldn’t hide.

“Of course. I’ve sported plenty myself. You suffering one yourself?”

Kankuro was always direct- always honest, even if it meant bearing the bad news. Gaara always appreciated that.

“How do I fix it?” His hands folded together.

Kankuro seemed to ponder this for awhile. “Well, usually the best thing to do is get the other person to notice you, to get them to realize you exist.”

“We both recognize each other’s existence.” Gaara supplied the answer before thinking.

“Then step one is out of the way.” Gaara could hear Kankuro scratching the back of his head. It reminded him of Naruto’s nervous habits. “Does she have a boyfriend?”

“He isn’t attached to anyone, no.”

Kankuro was silent a moment. “Did… did you just say he?”

Gaara looked at his brother pointedly. “Is that a problem?” Kankuro froze for a moment before shaking his head a little too emphatically.

“No, no, not at all. Whatever floats your boat little man.” Gaara’s eyes narrowed at his least favorite nickname, and Kankuro held his hands up in surrender. “Sorry. But anyways, he knows you exist and he doesn’t have… well, he’s not attached.” Kankuro grimaced a bit at that last part. “Do you know if he… well… likes guys? That may be a problem.”

Gaara nodded, recalling the look in Naruto’s eyes as Uchiha left the restaurant.

“Great! Then you’ve got no obstacles. All you gotta do is ask him out. Get him to see you not just as a person, but as a man.” Kankuro shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m telling you this. I thought for sure you’d bring a cute girl home someday, what with all the girls in the village pining for you. I hope this guy deserves you.” Kankuro paused. His face took on a slight gape of horror. “Wait… do I know this person?” Gaara looked at his brother, letting his expression convey everything. “Oh god, are we talking about the blond, ramen eating, orange clad, Konohan shinobi from hell? I mean, I thank him for saving your life and all that… but really, him? You sure you don’t want one of the cute girls from…” Kankuro stopped at the way Gaara shook his head decisively, eyes boring holes into Kankuro’s forehead. Kankuro sighed. “Well, whatever makes you happy.” He pat Gaara on the knee. “Just remember. That guy is dense as a brick. Better knock him over the head with it and confess your feelings outright. Make sure he sees you not as a friend, or the Kazekage, but a guy, who has feelings for him.”

Gaara nodded slowly. He tried to think about how he could possibly achieve that, but before he arrived at an answer, Kankuro yawned.

Gaara stood, thanking his brother for the advice and bid him a good night. Kankuro stood to walk him to the door, ruffling his hair on the way out. “If he breaks your heart tell me. I’ll tell Haruno and we’ll both give him a good ass kicking.”

Gaara smiled for the first time that night. That would be fun to watch, even without the heart break. Gaara strode back to his room, finally feeling calm enough to sleep.