The art of sand

Chapter19

Sai stared at the ceiling. Gaara was sleeping next to him. His mind had been in permanent turmoil since Gaara’s little "decision." He had let Gaara fall asleep early so he could think about how to handle the new situation. He knew what would happen if he told his father no. He most likely would not live long enough to get out of the house. And going into hiding would not quite work out. Between his father and the Uchihas, he would be found. He opted to watch Gaara sleep. He wished it could all be that simple. He sat up and watched the man sleep from a closer angle. Sai brushed a stray lock of red hair away from the closed eyes. Gaara snuggled his cheek into the touch. Sai smile fondly at the motion. He was experiencing his own array of emotions for the other man, and was trying to push them away. Last time he had started feeling like that, he had been betrayed by the blissful feeling. He was in no hurry to repeat pain. He told himself he was content with meaningless sex and being near the man. Love was not something he looked forward to. Heartbreak lurked around that corner.

Gaara grabbed a nearby pillow and dove his face into it. He mumbled something into the fluffy object. Sai fell off the bed in a fit of giggles. If Gaara could act out of character for a moment, so could he. The giggles woke the sleeping man. Gaara sat up and rubbed his eyes. When they focused on what was around him, he saw Sai clutching his sides and gasping for air.

"What happened? Are you hurt?" Gaara’s voice held a hint of panic.

Sai waved at him. He was trying to regain control and composure. Gaara was frowning down at him. Sai took at least five minutes to sit up and not fall into another fit of laughter. Gaara looked rather pissed off when he was done. Sai wiped away a tear.

"I-I never thought you’d be o-one for marshmallows," Sai struggled not to laugh again.

"M-marshmallows?"

Gaara blushed. His dream had in fact been about a happy place filled with giant forms of his secret favorite food. He wasn’t sure if he should be angry that Sai knew, or just try to ignore it. Sai picked himself off the floor and returned to the bed. He smiled and sat as close to Gaara as possible.

"You talk in your sleep," Sai offered calmly. "Something about marshmallows. It was cute."

Gaara turned another shade of red. He punched Sai lightly in the arm.

"Go to sleep."

"Okay."

Gaara pulled Sai down to lay against him. He did not trust the raven-haired boy to sleep on his own. Sai was grateful for the closeness and tried closing his eyes. Everything would just end up working itself out, right?


*******

Gaara stared at the phone number on his cell phone. He knew he should call it. Several logical reasons as to why he should floated through his mind. None of which made him hit that send button. He would only hit a key to keep the screen lit up. He was frowning intently at it. If he stared long enough maybe it would cease to exist. After several long minutes, he hit send.

"Hello?"

Count on him to answer the first ring.

"I’ll do it," Gaara muttered.

"Really?"

"Not for you. I’m going to save him. If I can get him to stop and turn in Danzo he’s free right? You promised."

Gaara sweated a little at the pause. His father did not make decisions lightly. And this was too serious a matter to not be very careful. Gaara knew perfectly well the thought process behind that pause. Who was to guarantee Sai would not start again?

"I did promise. He’ll have to name everyone involved. He’ll have to be under surveillance. You know the drill with this kind of thing. Art forgeries of this multitude are huge Gaara."

"I’ll make him name them all. I’ll not let you take him."

Gaara knew his voice sounded too harsh. He knew he was too passionate about the boy. He could not say why, either; he just was.

"Three weeks and I’ll stop by. Don’t go back on your word, father."

Gaara ended the call. Best to stay distant from that man.. Too much betrayal, and one will learn his lesson. Gaara pocketed the phone and went back into the café. He wasted his whole break for that. Sai had after school art sessions every Wednesday. No smiling boy to brighten the café that day. Gaara found it harder to force his own smiles. He hated the people that entered that establishment. With an undying passion. They were either too prissy or all over him.. And sometimes both. Gaara suppressed a shudder and approached the table that had just seated themselves. Lee had been put in the back after professing his love for the Sakura girl too loudly. Something about always protecting her. Everyone had a nice laugh. The girls blushed and the guys looked pissed. It seemed to be a double date. Gaara made sure they knew his smile was forced.

"What can I get you?" Keep it short, he reminded himself as he spoke.

"Whatever is good," one girl giggled.

Gaara’s face twitched a little where his eyebrows should be. His smile was slipping.

"Of course, it’s all good," he commented.

"Okay, then whatever you think its best," the other girl added.

"Well, you can’t have what’s best, but the mocha is pretty damn good."

Sai wrapped himself around Gaara protectively and spoke near his ear. Gaara turned crimson. Sai was nibbling on his ear and the girls were in a state of shock. The boys were snickering. Gaara elbowed Sai off him. He cleared his throat and gave the people at the table a stern look.

"J-just four coffees," a girl stuttered.

"I’ll have those out shortly."

Gaara rounded on Sai and drug him away by his arm. He slammed the boy into a chair across the room. He was still red, but from anger or embarrassment, Sai could not tell.

"Stay," he commanded forcefully.

"Okay. Just don’t let anyone else try to take you," Sai smiled.

"I’m not yours! Don’t make a scene while I’m at work," Gaara’s voice was softer but Sai still wilted at the words.

"Okay."

"Not yet. I’m still not…. I’m just not sure how to be with someone yet. Give me… time, okay?"

"Sure. But I’m not giving you to someone else," Sai informed him.

"Good," Gaara smiled.