The art of sand

Chapter21

School became something Sai had to struggle to focus on. Although, he was not the only one suffering lately. Sasuke had gotten less and less sleep as the weeks had passed. Naruto had made it clear after their "study session" that Sasuke wasn’t welcome near him anymore. He had resigned to watching the blonde for a while. That had all died when Neji had pulled him aside one afternoon.

"You lost. Leave us alone. You’re just torturing yourself and Naru-kun by brooding over this. Just accept defeat in this gracefully," he had said with a smirk.

Sasuke could not contain himself around the couple after that. He just stayed clear of them. He saw the pain from Naruto every time he was nearby. Neji made sure to shoot the Uchiha a satisfied smirk when he saw him. Sasuke had taken to sitting near Sai in class - the one person he was sure would not bother him with annoying questions. Sasuke dropped his books on the table loudly. He was scowling worse than usual. Sai put on a weak smile for him.

"Just don’t ask," Sasuke warned as he took his seat.

"Wasn’t going to."

Sai was trying to finish an assignment before the lecture. He had only been living with Gaara for two days and was already finding it impossible to do any work at home. He had been lucky with the distraction the first day. He had managed to finish a paper before they had taken a tumble in Gaara’s bed. Sai stifled a yawn and set back to work. Sasuke buried his face in his hands before the blonde entered the class. It was just his luck to have the dobe in almost every class. If his future did not mean much, he would have dropped out by now. Sasuke only looked up when he heard their teacher start his lecture. It took every ounce of self control possible to stay focused on class. He lost sleep because he did not pay attention. Seeing as failure was not an option, he was up every night catching up on missed lectures. Just before the class ended, Sasuke was assaulted by a crumbled piece of paper. Curious, he unfolded it to read the message.

‘We need to talk. Now.’

Sasuke growled softly and crumbled the paper again. He would go, of course. He deserved the pain in his heart. He had hurt the one he loved most for far too long. Every second of pain was well deserved in his opinion. When the class was dismissed, Sasuke snuck out to follow Naruto down the hall. The blonde led him outside and down to the park on campus. He turned to face Sasuke only after finding a tree to sit under. Naruto let himself fall backwards to lay in the grass under the tall branches’ shade. Sasuke lowered himself to sit next to his long-time friend. He waited for Naruto to speak.

"Why didn’t you tell me Neji threatened you?" Naruto started slowly.

"Why would that concern you?"

Naruto winced at the harsh tone. He knew Sasuke too well. He knew the man’s defense mechanisms. Sasuke refused to even glance at him. Naruto pulled himself up to a sitting position, and he hugged his knees tightly.

"You’re my closest friend. I was scared of loving you again. But if Neji is going to threaten you, I’ll have nothing more to do with him. How many times has he done it?"

"Dobe. You shouldn’t get so close to me."

"Tell me."

"What Hyuuga-kun and I talk about is none of your business. Unless you think I’m out to steal your boyfriend," Sasuke snapped.

The boy was being too nice. If he did not get away soon, his control would surely fade. Naruto stood up and brushed himself off before offering his hand.

"I already dumped him."

Sasuke looked up. His eyes were wide in shock. Naruto was smiling brightly. With the sun behind him, he looked perfect. Save for the single tear running down his cheek. Sasuke took the hand.

"Dobe. Why?"

"I can’t stop loving this teme. He’s so frustrating. He ignores me, and has been hurting me for years. But, my God, I can’t stop loving him."

When Sasuke was standing, Naruto pounced. He crashed his lips into the proud Uchiha’s. Sasuke wrapped his arms tightly around his kitsune. Naruto kissed him like there was no tomorrow. Sasuke had to pry himself away from the delicious lips.

"If I remember correctly, I never really answered your confession," Sasuke smirked.

"No, you really didn’t. You just kind of ignored me," Naruto pouted.

"Let me take you out. But no fucking ramen."


*******

Sai smiled at the new couple. Sasuke had insisted they hold hands when they walked. He was not leaving any doubt in anyone’s mind that he had claimed the Uzumaki for his own. Sai snuck up behind them and separated them by wrapping his arms around their shoulders.

"You two are disgustingly cute," he laughed.

"Ne, Sai? How’s Gaara?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke pried Sai off himself and Naruto. If he had not known he had nothing to fear from Sai, he would have beaten the life from him.

"Fine. I’m having to stay here to do my school work, though. Between the unpacking and other things, I’m having no luck at doing any homework."

Naruto chuckled. He said his good-bye as he was pulled off for his first official date with Uchiha Sasuke. Sai was left alone to find a quiet spot to work. He found it much easier to concentrate on campus. He was walking home in under three hours, completely caught up on his school work. Sai tested his new key in the lock upon arriving at the apartment. Gaara seemed to be at work, so he set himself to the task of unpacking. He would surprise his roommate with a clean, fully unpacked apartment. Maybe even dinner. Fortunately for Gaara, Sai made it to the dinner portion of his plans before Gaara got back. Sai was putting the finishing touches on the meal when Gaara fell through the door. He sighed heavily. He seriously hated his jobs sometimes.

"Welcome home," Sai smiled.

"I’m back," Gaara responded with a blush.

Sai handed him his dinner. He looked almost like a child, waiting to be praised for a good deed. Gaara ruffled his hair and sat down to eat the meal prepared for him. Sai said something about a shower and disappeared. Gaara was too tired to notice when Sai did not return. When Gaara thought to go look for him, he was furious with himself. Sai had left the man eating an hour ago. Anything could have happened to him. Gaara burst through his bedroom door loudly. If Sai was missing, he would never forgive himself. Panic turned to relief when he saw Sai sleeping soundly in the bed. He stirred a little in his bed at the noise Gaara had made. The man smiled softly and left Sai to sleep. Mostly because his pocket was vibrating. Gaara quickly escaped the apartment and answered his new cell phone. He had been too wrapped up in saving Sai to replace the last one he had broken until earlier that day.

"What do you want now, father?" Gaara answered the phone.

"I need you here. It’s happening tonight."

"Fuck. No, I can’t. I’m not helping you bust Danzo any more than I have. I have your proof, he’s sleeping in my bed!"

"Get over here. Now."

The line went dead. Gaara had a strong urge to smash the new phone into the wall. But that’s how all his cell phones seemed to die. Gaara pocketed it and started back for the door. He was stopped dead in his tracks by the man standing in his doorway.