Gifts and Giving

Sorry for the delay on this one everyone. This chapter seriously kicked my butt.


Gifts and Giving 3:


Gaara stares at the wall, watching the shadows wiggle and squirm. He shares their unease. His emotions flicker like the small candle flames- a constant wavering struggling to choose one direction, a course of action. Uzumaki’s hands are free but he has made no motion to escape. He says nothing to Gaara, only mumbling to himself trite complaints. Gaara is certain that if he looks behind him, Uzumaki will be covered in blood red sheets, shielding himself modestly. He has yet to build up the courage to test his theory, afraid of the effect being wrong will have on him.

“Gaara?” Uzumaki sounds less confident than usual. “Was that true? That stuff about you,” he pauses. Gaara understands his struggle. “You know… that you like me?” The word like is uttered with a sort of amused disbelief. Gaara is unaccustomed to hearing this questioning in Naruto’s voice- he who is optimistic enough to believe anything is possible. Gaara wonders what makes this so hard to believe. “Cuz that would be… kinda silly, wouldn’t it? We’re buds and…” his voice begins to falter, “we hardly even see each other.” Gaara waits for the part where he declares his love of Sakura and his dream of becoming a rival kage. He waits, gripping the sheets so conveniently at his hands, but Naruto is silent.

“And you like someone else.” He can feel his pulse leaping against his throat. He tries to keep the bitterness out of his voice, but it is no use. Uzumaki has his answer.

He hears the sound of a body hitting the bed, the cushioned fall making him bounce a little at the edge. Uzumaki lets out a dramatic sigh. He understands now, Gaara is sure of it, and nothing Gaara can do will change that. Gaara’s heart races. If he had nails the sheets in his clenched fist would be torn to shreds. Instead, his fingers slip against the material, willing the sheet the cover him, to hide him, to shield his ears from the renunciation to come.

“For the longest time, I thought I was the only one.”

Gaara sits up straighter. His ears are playing tricks on him. Or worse yet… Gaara’s hand rushes to his forehead. He feels for fever or sweat, or whatever other side effects that pill might cause. The aphrodisiac is starting to take affect. It must be because there is no way Uzumaki just said what he thinks he said.

“Man, your brother really has us pegged. He’s pretty gutsy giving you an aphrodisiac.” A chuckle fills the room. It seems misplaced in Gaara’s estimation. “Can’t say the idea hasn’t slipped my mind.”

Gaara shakes his head. No, this must be a delusion- some trick of the mind. He will turn around and discover that Uzumaki is silent or not there, or he is simply a puppet his brother has created to torment him.

“Gaara? Gaara?” There is movement on the bed. “Are you even listening to me?” He feels a hand on his shoulder and for a moment he is startled. “Don’t be scared. I just want to know if you’re okay. You’re not feeling sick, are you?”

Gaara can see Uzumaki’s face in his peripheral vision. Even in shadow, he can see the gentle look of concern in his mouth and eyes.

“This is a bad dream,” Gaara says aloud. He is thinking to himself but voices his thoughts.

Naruto laughs and the sound of it echoes off the bare walls. Gaara likes that sound. When Naruto laughs it reminds Gaara of good memories and warm afternoons- of Uzumaki’s smile and their many happy causes. “I certainly thought so, but if it means finding out that you like me, then it’s not as bad as I originally thought.” Gaara smiles slightly. Naruto’s hand is massaging his shoulder gently. Gaara tries to relax, but he is hyper aware of the small contact between them and the pleasant sensations it is creating.

“Please don’t touch me,” he blurts out. It is more defensive than he means it to be, but it gets the point across. He wonders if Naruto’s feelings are hurt. He knows his would be.

Uzumaki mutters an apology and retracts his hand. “Guess I’m feeling a little cuddly right now. Or maybe it’s the pill. It makes me want to pounce on you and smother you or something.” The sheets rustle. The image Uzumaki’s words evoke is not unpleasant, but Gaara believes now is an inopportune time to say so. “Won’t you at least look at me?” Naruto pleads. “I’m starting to get jealous of that wall.” Gaara doesn’t want to, but Naruto scoots closer to him. He can feel the shape of his knee against his leg and the warmth of his body.

Gaara does all he can not to lean into that inviting body. Naruto’s fingers are on his chin and though Gaara doesn’t want to face him, his heart hammering in his chest, fingertips turn his head and force his gaze into startling blue eyes.

Naruto rubs his thumb over Gaara’s cheek. “I never knew your skin was so smooth.” He pauses and gazes into Gaara’s eyes with emotion. Gaara feels uncomfortable. He once thought derision was painful, but he feels that this, in its own way, is infinitely worse. He can feel his cheeks burning. “Your sand is gone,” Naruto muses aloud. His voice is low, indefinably sexy. It makes Gaara feel naked. He is all too aware of the hand touching his exposed skin, his eyes following the strong wrist along the bended arm. He notes the width and musculature of the leaf shinobi’s shoulders- their dips and shadows. Naruto is turning into a man, the realization uncurling the tendrils of lust in his belly.

“Your cheeks are warm,” he says in a whisper. He presses their foreheads together, the tips of their noses just touching. “You don’t have a fever,” the warm breath caresses his lips. “Maybe we’re starting to…” Naruto’s mouth is pressing gently, insistently against Gaara’s. It is filled with a tenderness that frightens him because it makes him feel. He doesn’t know what yet, but it is like the thrill of finding a worthy opponent.

Naruto pulls away. His cheeks are pink and he is closing his eyes. “I’m sorry, I should have asked you first.” His fingers thread themselves between the strands of hair at the base of Gaara’s neck. “I just…” their noses are touching and Gaara feels overcome with a sudden need to touch Naruto, “couldn’t help myself,” he brushes their lips together. Gaara senses that Naruto’s restraint is waning. Closing his eyes, he caresses the bare arm extended between them. Naruto shudders.

“The pills,” Gaara whispers.

“The pills,” Naruto agrees before pressing their mouths together roughly.

* * *



“Do you really think they’ll go at it? Our brother is rather repressed. Hell, he still gets flustered when I hug him,” Temari says. She is pacing around even though she knows the corridor is empty. If there are any assassination attempts tonight they will be in the kage tower. She snorts thinking of would be assassins sneaking in only to discover that their target is missing. She wonders what Shikamaru is up to.

“You underestimate the power of the placebo effect. They both think they’ve been dosed with an aphrodisiac. I’m banking on the fact that Uzumaki is a perv and wants our brother.” Kankuro sits on the floor near the door. He tightens another screw on the miniature puppet he is working on.

“Great. If I hear moaning I’m gone. You and your puppets can guard the doors.” Temari pauses and looks at her only way out. If she hurries, she can still make it on time.

“I sealed the doors. Sound proof. I also set up a chakra lacings around the perimeter. If anyone tries to sneak in, or out, they’ll trip one of my wires and I’ll know.” He pulls out his sand paper and begins to round off an edge.

“So what do you need me for?” She feels annoyed. She hardly gets to see Shikamaru as it is. He must be pissed off right now.

“Did I interrupt your date?” Kankuro taunts. Temari crosses her arms and says nothing. He chuckles more when he interprets this as a yes. “Fine, go to your lover boy. I’ll hold down the fort.”

She tries to appear indignant with his mockery, but deep down she is grateful. “Keep your wits about you,” she says instead. “The only reason I didn’t rip off your balls for this one is because I’ll delight in seeing Gaara do so n the morning,” she grins. “I’ll try to make it back in time for the show.” She gives her pale brother a wave and strides down the corridor, ready to face her own lover.

* * *



Naruto is kissing him. What began as two mouths pressed together tightly had turned into nips, small licks and lip locks cementing them together. Gaara feels a dizzy sort of pleasure as his tongue pushes its way into Uzumaki’s mouth. He wonders if Uzumaki can taste the wine on his breath, can sense the urgency and need with just a caress of the tongue.

Naruto leans back onto the bed. Those blue eyes look up at him. They are brighter than usual, the flame of the candle burning in their lenses. His hands tug on the material of Gaara’s robe while a mischievous smile urges him to follow.

Gaara answers with a kiss, tongue chasing the other man’s and forcing that smile into another expression entirely. Naruto’s hand clenches repeatedly over his bicep, the warmth of his hands penetrating the thick fabric. Gaara ignores the tugging on the material and concentrates on his mouth moving over Naruto’s. He thanks his brother for having the foresight to leave his gift free of wrapping and lets his fingers trail over the textured plane of a well sculpted chest.

When Gaara’s hands trail down to the tan hip just visible over the edge of green boxers, Naruto lets out a breathy moan. Curious, Gaara runs his fingers up and down this side again. He delights in the way his partner squirms and clenches his eyes—the way his mouth hangs open like a fish gasping for breath.

Naruto’s body twists; his deep sighs darken into groans. Gaara tries to pretend he doesn’t understand what is happening. He teases Naruto for being ticklish, while green eyes dart to his boxers, looking for the sign that his friend is as excited as he is. Uzumaki hated being tickled, but he isn’t complaining now. Instead he half moans into the wine red sheets, his muscled neck stretching in a fine arch. Gaara licks his lips. Leaning over, he nips just below the ear while his fingers slide knowingly over Naruto’s sides. Naruto’s torso rises with a gasp, spine curved like a strung bow. Gaara shivers at the contact between them, fighting the urge to give into instinct—tempted to fall into the body descending to the mattress. He gasps at each small kiss placed along his neck.

Gaara’s fingers slide over thin cotton fabric, down to the edge, and slip up beneath the material. Here Naruto’s thighs are smooth and warm. His palm slides along the curves available to him, fingers kneading slightly into the thick muscled thighs flexing beneath his fingertips. He wraps a hand beneath the thigh, fingertips just brushing something warm and heavy.

For the first time in his life, Gaara hears the other man whimper. He likes this sound, this power, letting his fingers brush lightly against them again. He pulls his hand away, shifting his position. The large robe hinders his movements and he tosses it off smoothly. He moves from Naruto’s side to kneel between his legs, sitting on his heels and allowing himself to appreciate the view. Gaara sits quietly, grinning at the obvious flush in Uzumaki’s cheeks, in the quick rise and fall of his chest and the dark green spots on his boxers where wetness has soaked through.

There are so many things he wants right now he doesn’t know where to begin.

He starts with the green boxers. Gaara meets blue eyes, silently asking permission. He watches him closely while he removes Naruto’s last fragment of modesty. Naruto’s eyes are too glazed, too gone on the pill of lust to deny him anything. If anything, Gaara finds pleading in those eyes—an unspoken wish for more.

When Naruto is laid bare before Gaara’s eyes he does not try to hide himself. His eyes do not turn away under close scrutiny. Gaara is pleased by this, fascinated by the other man’s arousal, fascinated that this is for him. Gaara touches the other man wonderingly, running his fingers over the tip to spread the milky fluid there. He uses it to coat his hand, to smooth out the journey from base to tip.

Gaara never understood lust, but the expression on Uzumaki’s face as his own pale fingers touch the damp arousal is intoxicating—the parted lips, the glazed look in his eyes, the utter submission as he exposes the long line of muscled neck. Gaara memorizes this expression. He wants this man and to possess him, just as he desires to be possessed.

He slows when the member in his hand begins to twitch. He lessens his grip and leans forward to kiss Naruto’s thighs. He traces small patterns with his tongue, burying his nose into blond curls and inhales the masculine scent. He wonders if his scent, his musk, is just as powerful. His tongue darts out to touch the sensitive sacks. Naruto’s volume increases. Gaara tightens his grip and licks again, using one hand to hold down the thrashing body. Gaara knows the leaf shinobi is close, allowing his tongue to wet the sacks huddling close to the rest of that feverish body. Gaara grins and speeds his hand, not relenting until it is Naruto’s hands closing over his, and stopping his ministrations while hot bursts flow between both their fingers.

Gaara doesn’t move his hand away, just lets it stay where it is and presses small kisses to Naruto’s thigh. Naruto’s hands slide away slowly, reluctantly, his chest heaving in slowing breaths.

Gaara kisses his post and rises to his knees. He crawls over the spent body below him to kiss Naruto’s neck.

He feels the chuckle vibrating in Naruto’s throat. “I wanted us to do something together, but now you’ve given me no choice.”

Two hands close over his arms and before he knows it he is on his back. The heavier body is pressing him into the bed, blue eyes watching with a new type of hunger and a smirk that says he is done with submission.

His mouth is on Gaara’s neck, tongue licking from the base to the fleshy lobe of an ear. Gaara gasps and turns his head, wanting more of this feeling—the feeling of being tasted, devoured. He arches his back trying to push their bodies together. He wants to feel enveloped by the other man, the way his sand covers him and makes him feel safe and warm; wants his skin, his touch, his scent, his mouth. This is what he has wanted. Suddenly he understands what it is Kankuro tried to tell him.

Naruto keeps their bodies apart, leaning forward only to nip and suck on Gaara’s neck, smirking against his skin as Gaara tries once more to arch his body into the one hovering over his. Frustrated, Gaara sits up and pulls Uzumaki into his lap. He attacks the pink swollen mouth, forcing his tongue into the other man’s mouth. He pulls their bodies together and is frustrated by his own clothes. He pulls off his shirt impatiently, unzipping his pants and wiggling to get out of them. Naruto helps, pushing Gaara back onto the bed and pulls them over his knees before Gaara promptly kicks them off.

Gaara feels his boxers being tugged down and he attempts to aid the process. He begins to slide his underwear off his hips, but Uzumaki has other ideas. He tugs his briefs down to mid-thigh and smiles at him. Gaara shivers under the kitsune’s smile.

His legs are trapped. He wants to voice this concern but Uzumaki is giving him that hungry look again. A pink tongue darts out and suddenly Gaara’s erection is disappearing between those pink lips. For a moment, Gaara is gasping and willing his body to remember how to breathe. Uzumaki’s tongue swirls around the tip, sending fluttering licks against so many raw nerves. Gaara shudders and groans, feeling that part of him harden under the barrage of hot breaths and teasing wet strokes. He grips the sheets, riding out the pleasure that makes his body tremble. Uzumaki is taking him in deeper, the tip of Gaara’s penis bumps into the roof of his mouth. Gaara’s arms and torso shudder. He grips Uzumaki’s blond hair tightly. It feels so good he can hardly concentrate; not on the heat in Uzumaki’s eyes watching him, or the hand holding his hip in place- just the smooth tongue and the pressure of pink lips sliding up and down.

“Please,” he shudders out, “I want you.”

It is the first time he has admitted it—to himself or anyone for that matter. Naruto stops. He lets up on him gently and waits for Gaara to say more.

“Want me how?” he asks affectionately, slinking upwards and draping his body over Gaara’s. Gaara scrambles free and kicks off the rest of his clothing. He puts his arms around Naruto’s neck and pulls the larger body over his. Naruto smiles and kisses him.

Gaara tries to think of an answer he does not know. But Naruto somehow seems to understand. He is being kissed slowly, with deliberate patience. Something about the kiss calms him, takes the edge off his lust without diminishing his want. Naruto’s tongue caresses his upper lip and Gaara, opening his mouth, answers with his own. Naruto deepens the kiss, tongue pushing forcefully into Gaara’s mouth and pressing their opened mouths together tenderly. Gaara can feel his desire, can feel the need in Naruto’s body being transferred to him through this kiss. It would scare him if it didn’t feel so right.

“Someday love, but not today.” The word love rings in his ears. It stirs up a giddy sort of pleasure that bubbles through every part of him. He doesn’t resist when Naruto’s body leaves him, sighing as that warm mouth journeys down his body. His hands grip the sheets that slide through his fingers like water. His life narrows down to the point where Uzumaki’s tongue joins his waiting flesh. And when he comes it is Naruto’s thumb, rubbing careless circles against his thigh that brings him back down to earth.

Naruto crawls up to join him, entangling legs made slick with sweat and the many things spilled between them. A tan arm drapes across his chest and clings to him, holding tight as though his body will float away without this anchor. Gaara turns his head to regard the pair of eyes watching him so intently.

“What’s wrong?” He kisses the shoulder in reach, trying to ease the troubled look on his partner’s face. “Did I do something wrong? Was that not okay?” Gaara begins to feel uneasy, wondering if he had perhaps been discourteous.

Naruto shakes his head. “You said you wanted me.” He paused, searching for his words. “But what if, that is… once the pills wear off,” he struggled. Gaara’s heartbeat quickens.

“You think it’s the pills. That I won’t want you when I’m free of its influence?” Gaara hazards a guess.

Naruto nods his head. His arm tightens a little more. “I don’t want to let you go,” he confesses, burying his nose into Gaara’s hair. Gaara smiles at this simple concern. He rests his hand on Naruto’s arm and snuggles into the warm body.

“I didn’t know I wanted you. Not until today. But now that I know, nothing will change my mind.”

Naruto is pressing kisses against his hair. He wants to stay awake, to listen to his partner’s exclamations and declarations, but it has been a long day. His body curls into the warm chest, unconcerned with his nakedness or the sand barrier that is so far away. For once he is completely vulnerable and yet he feels protected. Safe here in his lover’s arms he feels that nothing can touch him here; nothing that is, but sleep.


* * *

Kankuro is relieved when Temari returns. It means dawn is almost near and that his prisoners can be released. He puts down the puppet that is near complete. Opening a scroll on hand he makes the marks necessary and pulls out the stored items. Temari watches quietly, unsurprised when Uzumaki’s pack and clothes appear in a less than neat pile.

He takes a deep breath before releasing the chakra lines marking the perimeters. His hand pauses near the door. He is hesitating, worried about what he will find behind the locked door. He resists the urge to cover his most vulnerable body parts. A look from Temari prompts him to knock lightly on the door. When no one replies he waits, knocks again and waits for permission to enter. He is worried when no one answers, wondering if they are still asleep or if Gaara is refusing to talk to him. Carefully, he opens the door, pauses, throws the clothes in and promptly shuts the door again.

Temari looks at him curiously. “Let’s give them another fifteen minutes,” he blushes. Temari rolls her eyes.


* * *

Gaara pulls his pants back on. He feels sweaty and sticky and his first order of business upon escaping is taking a bath. Naruto watches him from the bed, sheets pooled in his lap in his newly returned modesty.

“Your clothes are on the floor,” Gaara informs him. He makes no move to pick them up and bring them. Naruto’s eyes search the room, lighting up when he sees the pile by the door.

“How did they get there?” he asks.

“Kankuro. He threw them and left quickly.” Gaara notes how lovely Naruto is when he is blushing. “We may leave as soon as you dress.”

Naruto’s eyes dart from the pile by the door to Gaara’s now clothed form standing between them. With some reluctance he throws off the sheet and walks self consciously to the door. Gaara admires his form as he walks, eyes drinking in the lean thighs that were wrapped around him not long ago and remembers how it felt dragging his fingers across that firm backside. He feels an increasingly familiar flare start to burn inside him. He will have to talk to Kankuro about those pills. Something that powerful should not be legal. He watches his lover put on his clothes hurriedly, smiling when Uzumaki stumbles a little putting on his pants.

He resists the urge to tear them off again, to expose his beautiful skin once more if only to drink in the sight of it. Naruto notes him watching and blushes.

“You can try to blink, you know,” Naruto says. Gaara’s eyes close slowly and open again. He continues to stare. He notes that Naruto is also cute when he’s scowling. Gaara walks over to join him, stopping the hands that are zipping up his jacket. He feels confidence in his actions—a certainty that was absent last night; as though the pill has awakened the predator in him that is thirsty for something other than blood. He presses a kiss to the exposed flesh just above the collar of his mesh shirt before zipping up the jacket for him.

Naruto gives a small sigh. “Are you still worried I’ll leave you?” Gaara asks, pressing a soft kiss against his neck.

“How do I know that’s not the pill talking?” Naruto sighs. Gaara smiles against his skin. He fixes the collar and smoothes out the sleeves.

“Were it someone else in your bed last night would you have been so passionate?” Gaara asks.

Naruto’s eyes widen. His expression slowly softens and he shakes his head.

“Kankuro’s gift was not meant to force us into that which we did not want.” Gaara brushes his fingers against Naruto’s cheek. “The gift was giving us a chance to be honest with ourselves and with one another. I admit the pills are powerful. Even now they affect me, but had I not wanted you before, had we no thought for one another we would have fallen on one another like wild beasts and had no concern over regrets.” Gaara smiles at Naruto. He rubs a flaxen lock between his fingers. “Let’s go. You need a bath and my brother needs some punishment for his audacity.” Gaara opens the door and steps out.

His brother and sister are waiting in the hallway, half anxious faces watching him carefully. He nods at them and says good morning. Kankuro seems to be greatly relieved, Temari is disappointed. He leads Naruto out and begins walking towards his chambers. His siblings follow close behind.

“Kankuro, something concerns me about those pills.” Kankuro smiles sheepishly. “They are too powerful. How long must it last?”

Kankuro glances at Temari with something akin to panic. She shakes her head and Gaara understands this to mean that neither of them know. “Never mind,” he says. “But I forbid you from buying them ever again,” he says sternly. Kankuro nods eagerly and leaves it at that.

“I’ll be in the bath if anyone asks for me. Allow the guests to relax. Don’t expect me back until noon.”

“But that’s not for another…”

“Noon!” Gaara says more sternly. “As punishment for mistreating one of my guests, the two of you shall take over my duties this morning.” Both his siblings look confused. His face softens and he smiles at his brother. “We can discuss any additional disciplinary measures later.” He turns to Naruto and holds out his hand. “Come on Naruto. The baths are this way.” He pauses to look back at his flabbergasted siblings before leading him away.

“What if someone requests an audience? What if a guest leaves early?” Kankuro shouts after him.

“Tell them I’m not available,” Gaara answers calmly.

“What excuse should I make if they ask why?” Kankuro fires quickly.

Gaara quirks his head and glances at Naruto sidelong. “Tell them I received a rare gift. And if they press on, tell them I’m still not done enjoying it. By the way, do you still hide the flavored condoms in your bottom drawer?”

Gaara keeps a straight face even when his brother visibly pales. Naruto snorts, but he is smiling. He knows his brother will spend the next few hours sweating his new duties. And if the anxiety over a promised punishment later is not enough, then the imagery that will no doubt be running through his brother’s brain every time someone asks the Kazekage’s whereabouts certainly will.

“That was evil,” Naruto whispers. He gives Gaara a secret thumbs up in applause. “Oh that reminds me, I still haven’t given you your present.” Naruto fumbles in his many pockets searching for something. Gaara rests a hand on one arm gently.

“Later,” he says. His hand lingers on Naruto’s arm, sliding just slightly as he pulls away. “I’m not done enjoying the last one.”

*The End*

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I really seem to enjoy writing stories in three parts... Hope you all enjoyed this one.