The Oni

Chapter 3: A change of heart

When they were done eating, the six genin and Iruka decided to make their own ways home. Naruto and Sasuke lived with in 2 blocks of each other and so set off in the same direction.

"Sasuke, do you mind if I ask you something?" Naruto asked in a much quieter tone than he usually used.

Sasuke gave Naruto a glance and said, "You just have dobe...but you can ask me anything." 'Did I just say anything?' Sasuke thought, blushing, giving Naruto another quick glance to see if he noticed that.

Naruto scrunched up his eyes in thought. 'Hmm what Sasuke just said sounded odd, oh well I better ask before he changes his mind.'
"Do you like anyone Sasuke, if so how do know? I think I like someone but I am not sure. I mean, I liked Sakura before but that was different. What I fell for this person is more. Deeper." Naruto stopped in the shadow of a large tree in front of Sasuke's home and looked intently at him.

"Hmm. I do like someone, but...I don't think they feel the same way about me. Though I do know they care about me, I just wish it was is a slightly different manner." Sasuke said as his eyes filled with emotions that Naruto did not think were possible to see in his friend's eyes.

"Thats how I feel about this person. Sasuke, who is it that you like?" Naruto asked, afraid of the answer.

Sasuke gave Naruto a long piercing look before taking a long step toward him. "Do you really not know?" Sasuke asked leaning close to Naruto, so close that Naruto could feel Sasuke's breath, smell the lingering scent of ramen. Naruto shook his head and thought 'I don't, but I wish it was me.' Sasuke leaned close to Naruto and Naruto dared himself to hope.

"I'll tell you one day Naruto. Goodnight." Sasuke left Naruto standing in the deepening shadow of a tree, emotions running rampant in both teen's bodies.

---

Gaara had been given an apartment close to the Hyuuga compound and ended up walking Hinata home. They walked in silence halfway there, but it was not an uncomfortable silence. Then Hinata said, "Gaara, did you ever like anyone back in Suna? A-a girl I mean." Hinata blushed slightly at her own daring to ask such a question. Though inside her head she was wondering if maybe she did not like Naruto anymore, perhaps she liked someone new.

Gaara looked at Hinata. He had finally stopped denying it and accepted that he liked Hinata more than just a friend. Gaara had been hoping that she might return his feelings despite the fact that everyone said she liked Naruto.

"Gaara?" Hinata asked.

Realizing he had been silent too long Gaara burst out (well if you call a slow monotone answer bursting) with, "I didn't like anyone in Suna but I like someone now." Realizing what he just said Gaara mentally smacked himself.

Good going sandman.

'Shut up you good for nothing demon.' The demon in Gaara had started talking to him since his fight with Naruto. Before then he never said anything. Now the damned thing wouldn't shut up during the night so even if Gaara was allowed to sleep he couldn't because of the constant chatter in his head.

Hinata felt a lead weight drop in her stomach. Gaara liked someone. 'Why does that bother me? Oh no, do I like Gaara now? Great, I am probably going to start stuttering now.'

"Who i-is it? If you don't mind m-my asking that i-is." Hinata asked while thinking 'Stupid! If you stutter he will find out for sure!!'

Gaara heard the stutter in Hinata's voice. After the first time they trained together he had only heard that in her voice when they happened to see Naruto.

I think she likes you. Stupid girl, why you don't give her a nice sandy hug?

Gaara mentally glared at the demon while he gave Hinata a soft look. He wanted so badly to reach out and touch her.

"Hinata-sama, glad to see you home." A guard at the front gates of the Hyuuga compound was walking towards Hinata and Gaara.

"Oh, hello Hari." Hinata greeted the guard pleasantly but was cursing him in her mind. "Well goodnight Gaara. Y-you want to m-meet here in the morning at 6:45 and we can w-walk to the front gates t-together?"

Gaara nodded his, "Goodnight Hinata." He watched her walk into the Hyuuga compound, feelings for her flooding his mind.

---

Sakura and Lee were walking to their homes together. They lived right across the street from each other. As they walked Lee kept rambling about all the youthful and beautiful things he liked about Sakura. After ten minutes of it Sakura had had enough.

"Lee, if you like me so much then do something about it."

Lee stopped and looked at Sakura shocked. Could this mean what he thought it meant? "But what can I do? I confess my feelings for you constantly? Would you have me run laps around Konoha? Swim across the sea? What do you want me to do?"

"This!" Sakura advanced on Lee and kissed him. For two long minutes she kissed him.

"That is what I want. That and flowers, love notes, things every girl wants."

"But we aren't going out and you always say no when I ask!"

"Well maybe if you tried to be a bit more romantic I would say yes." With that Sakura left to her house. When she got into her room there was a single white rose laying on the pillow on her bed with a note:

If you were not around I would suffocate. You are the air I breathe and without I could not live.

-Lee

Sakura blushed and smiled. She put the rose in a vase with some water before laying down and falling asleep with those written words echoing in her dreams.

---

7 am, Front Gates of Konoha

The Hokage, Iruka, and Kakashi stood waiting for the genin to arrive.

Earlier that morning:

"Sakura, I just want to say that-" Sakura gave Lee a small peck and said "Whatever it is, it should probably wait. We have a mission now. Thank you for the rose." Sakura gave him another peck and began walking toward the front gate.

--

Once they were out of viewing distance of the Hyuuga compound Gaara pulled Hinata into the shadows of an alley.

"Gaara, w-what are y-you doing? W-we are going to b-be late." Hinata gave Gaara a surprised look while she was singing in her head. Last night she had decided that she did like Gaara more than a friend.

Gaara looked at Hinata for a few moments before stepping close to her and tilting her head up a little and gently brushing her lips with his.

"I want you to know that I have deep feelings for you Hinata. I have never felt this way before. This is going to be a dangerous mission so please stay near me. I won't be able to work if I feel you are in danger."

Even though his tone was the same as it always was Hinata knew that Gaara meant every word he said.

"I will stay close to you. I don't think I could bear to be too far." Hinata whispered and gave Gaara a small kiss before they continued for the gates.

--

Sasuke was standing outside Naruto's apartment waiting for him to come out. It was 6:55. They were going to have to make a mad dash to get to the front gates on time. 'The dobe is probably still sleeping. The cute, tan, golden blonde haired dobe. With no shirt..I better go check on him.'

Sasuke knocked on Naruto's door to answer. Deciding that in the interest of the mission that they didn't have time to lose Sasuke let himself in. When he was inside he walked to Naruto's bed to see him laying there seemingly half naked. No shirt and a sheet covering his lower half. Sasuke shook Naruto's shoulder only to have his hand grabbed at pulled at revealing a nice firm bum. Naruto had no shorts on....


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A/N:

Muauahahahahahhahahahahahah!!!! The end for this chapter! I am a horrible horrible person for leaving this fic like this for so long! Just so I don't get killed I changed the ages by another two years so they are 16. I was thinking 14 was a bit too young still for the above and what is likely to start happening in the next few chapters. I am going to see Brokeback Mountain tomorrow and that inspired me to get on with my fic so here it is and if I like that movie I am likely to keep writing so here is for hoping and see you again soon!

Ps. I suck with spelling so if someone would like to be a beta reader for me just say so!! Leave your email and I will contact you with my next chapter.