Taiikusai

Disclaimer: I neither own these characters nor profit from using them in my own absurd fantasies

Naruto looked around the hallway carefully. It was still early. Most of the students on campus were on the field for morning practice. There was no one in sight.

Taking a deep breath, he paused before the student council room. He tugged on the sliding door and shoved it open.

“SHITSUREI SHIMASU!”

“Good morning, Uzumaki-kun.” Cool green eyes smiled at him.

Naruto felt a flutter somewhere in his stomach. “Good morning, Gaara-sempai.”

“Did you need help with something?”

“Hehehe. I just stopped by to say…”

“You interrupted a meeting, Uzumaki.”

Naruto’s eyes darted to the other side of the table. Sasuke glared at him, arms folded over his chest. “If you don’t need anything, leave.”

Naruto froze. Dammit, of all times to forget that Sasuke is also a council member…

“Patience, Uchiha-kun. It is the student council’s responsibility to serve the students.”

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and just barely hid his contempt.

“What can we do for you, Uzumaki-kun.”

Naruto chuckled nervously. “Um… I was just wondering, you know.. um, is Neji-sempai here?”

Gaara looked surprised. “Neji-kun? He isn’t here at the moment. He told me he was running late this morning.”

“Because that’s responsible.”

Gaara shot Sasuke a warning glare. Sasuke didn’t back down. Naruto grew uncomfortable between them and started backing away towards the door. “I see I’ve come at a bad time… I’ll just…”



Rattle.

“Sorry I’m late.” Neji paused. “Did… I miss something?”

Sasuke and Gaara broke their staring contest.

“Nothing at all.” Gaara glanced at Sasuke. “Uzumaki-kun arrived here looking for you, but he hasn’t been waiting long. Perhaps you two should take it into the hall.”

Neji’s gaze lingered between Gaara and Sasuke with uncertainty. He nodded at Gaara’s suggestion and grabbed Naruto by the arm. “Let’s go Uzumaki.”

He guided Naruto out of the room and down the hall. He stopped when they had descended half the staircase.

“What’s going on?”

“To be honest… I’m not sure. I stopped by,” he hesitated, cheeks growing pink, “just as you suggested yesterday, but I forgot Sasuke-bastard was a member too. He nearly bit off my head just for saying hi.”

Neji nodded. That explained the looks between Gaara and Sasuke. Sasuke had never openly insulted or defied Gaara directly, but he certainly wasn’t submitting to the student president without a fight.

“I made up the excuse about looking for you just to get Sasuke off my back. He’s been acting weird lately.”

“How so?”

“Well, I took your advice and asked for a tutor. But then HE had to volunteer. Damn. I was hoping to get Sakura or someone at least cute.”

“Sasuke… volunteered? To tutor you?” Neji’s brows furrowed in worry. Was Sasuke ignoring his warnings and trying to get back at Naruto? “How long has this been going on?”

“Hrm, today is… Friday? So nearly two weeks now.”

“Has he done anything…untoward during these meetings?”

“Huh?”

“Has he exhibited any unusual behavior?”

“He’s fine for the most part. An ass, as usual and always insulting, but he’s fine until we finish. Usually it’s just before I leave when he says something.”

Naruto frowned. He seemed to be deep in thought.

“Can you think of any examples?”

“Sometimes… it feels like he tries to bring up the past. The time when we were close, in particular.” Naruto’s face grew dark. “Yesterday he implied that I had a boyfriend. When I laughed at him and tried to make fun, he yelled at me like a jealous girlfriend.”

Neji frowned. “He obviously has some misconceptions. But perhaps…” he paused. Do you think he found out about your crush on Gaara?”

“Wha! How did you …”

Neji smiled. “Eyes like a hawk.”

Naruto turned an unusual shade of red. “Did you tell?”

“You know I wouldn’t. I’ll leave that to you.”

Naruto smiled. “Thanks, Neji-sempai.”

“Nothing to thank me for. I’m just sorry that I forgot to warn you about the Uchiha potentially being there too.”

“Meh, I’ve faced worse. But damn, those two are scary.”

“Haha, I should get back before they kill each other. See you later.” He turned to head up the stairs when Naruto tugged on his shirt.

“Hrm?”

“Neji-sempai… are you okay? I just noticed… your neck is bruised. Looks painful…”

Neji blushed. “Just a small accident. That’s why I was late this morning.” Naruto looked concerned. “Nothing to worry about. My own carelessness.” Neji smiled. “You take care.” Neji turned back up the stairs when a thought occurred to him.
“Oh, and Naruto?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you doing anything at lunchtime?”

“Just eating at the cafeteria like I always do.”

“How would you like to join me on the roof?”

Naruto grinned.

Neji turned the corner and saw a figure leaning by the door. He could make out a line of wavy red hair and walked just a little bit faster.

“Is there something going on between you and Uzumaki?”

Neji met Gaara’s eyes evenly and smiled. “You know me better than that.”

Gaara let out a sigh.

“Uchiha has been railing on you since you left. He even told me to keep an eye on you. Heh. To think he’d try to make me an ally over something stupid like this.”

Neji smirked. “Maybe that’s not so bad.”

Gaara gave him a questioning look. “What do you mean?”

“Well, if Uchiha thinks that I’m after Naruto, then he might try to get into your good graces. Figures he’d consider any enemy of his enemies his friend. I don’t mind playing the bad guy if it means he’ll try to get along with you.”

Gaara weighed the potential risks of such an endeavor. “Should we tell Uzumaki?”

“What do you think? Think he can manage to play along?”

Gaara lowered his eyes a bit and paused. “I see what you mean.” He reached into his bag. “Very well then.” He held out a round plastic container the size of his palm. “Cover up those hickies before the disciplinarian catches sight of them. You can thank me later.”

Neji tensed. His eyes shot towards the concealed tattoo and he nodded.

“You’re pale enough that it should match. Next time, ask Temari to be a bit more discreet.”

Neji coughed.

Gaara turned his back and waved as he walked down the hall.

Neji opened up the compact to check out the damage when he remembered.

“Wait, Gaara!”

He stopped and turned; a bored expression on his face.

“What’s your lunchtime agenda?”



Naruto pulled out his Japanese book and started reviewing his kanji.

He ignored the fuming Uchiha slamming his book bag onto the desk behind him.

“Enjoy your little rendezvous?”

“Busy. Studying.”

He heard the scrape of a chair across the floor and the sound of a body dropping into it. Naruto continued scribbling down notes. He could feel Uchiha’s stare attempting to bore a hole in the back of his head and he did his best to ignore it.

“Hey bastard, what was the irregular use of this one? I know I’m missing one of the on-yomi.”

Sasuke gave him a scorching look. “Why don’t you ask the Hyuga?”

“Because YOU’RE my tutor. Or did you forget yesterday’s little spiel already?”

Sasuke winced. He roughly snatched the book out of Naruto’s hands and looked at the underlined part. “Ka.” He returned to his “you’re such a moron” glare.

“Hehe, thanks.”

Naruto turned back around and continued scribbling more notes.

Naruto knew he was still staring, and so he kept on ignoring it.

“Sasuke-kun! Good morning!” Sakura’s cheerful voice piped up from the doorway.

“Hn. Morning.”

“Morning Naruto-kun.”

“Busy. Studying.”

Sakura stopped in front of his desk. She peered down intently at his desk and flicked his forehead.

“Since when are you too busy to greet me?”

“Ahahaha! Just kidding,” he grinned. “Good MORning Sakura! Are you ready for the quiz? Do you wanna help me study?”

Sakura chuckled. “This new and improved Naruto-kun still freaks me out. But sure, what do you need help with?”

“Whoo! Okay, see this part here…”

Naruto ignored whatever annoyed looks Sasuke was directing his way and felt uplifted. He could handle this. There was no reason this couldn’t be a good day.

As soon as the lunch bell rang, he ran for the cafeteria, picked up some curry pan and ran for the roof.

Not too many students opted to sit up there anymore. Especially since the rainy season had set in and the fickle weather could opt to literally rain on their parade. He checked the skies outside the window and noticed a few gray lined clouds, but nothing too threatening.

He pushed the door open and was temporarily blinded before his eyes adjusted.

A single figure, his back turned, stood by the gate. A bento box, still wrapped up, was at his feet and a cup-o-noodle was placed next to it.

Naruto could recognize that red hair anywhere. Gaara…

Naruto’s heart started to beat a little faster as he walked over to the gate. “Come here often?”

Gaara didn’t look amused. “That’s the oldest pick up line in the book.”

Naruto blushed. “I wasn’t…”

Gaara smiled. “Got you.”

Naruto laughed. “I gotta admit. I walked right into that one.” He looked around. “So where’s Neji-sempai?”

“He will be here shortly. He had to… pick someone else up.”

“Huh?”

“You’ll see.” Gaara didn’t look too happy, but Naruto didn’t push. “Have a seat. No reason why we can’t start eating without our host. I know you usually eat in the cafeteria, so Neji-kun brought you this.” He handed Naruto the already opened cup-o-noodle. Steaming water had already been added.

“Wow! Thanks! This is awesome!”

“As much as I’d love to take the credit, it wasn’t my doing.” Naruto smiled anyways, slurping up a mouthful of noodles. “Besides, that stuff is horrible for you. I would have made you eat half my bento. But then my sister would get on my case about not eating enough.”

Naruto smiled. “That’s okay. I wouldn’t wish your sister’s wrath on anyone.”

Gaara chuckled. “She’s not so bad. Sometimes she just has to act tough.” He frowned a bit. “I suppose that’s my fault.”

Naruto slurped up a few noodles.

“Don’t beat yourself up over it. That’s all over with now! Look at you! Weren’t you the one that said you’re not the same man anymore?”

He put down his noodles and grinned

Gaara turned to him and smiled. Not the wistful, or the forced everyday ones, but a real smile.

“It’s all thanks to you.”

Naruto’s heart skipped a beat. He blushed and chuckled nervously. “You shouldn’t say that. You’re the one that made the change!”

Gaara looked at him intently. “But if it wasn’t for you, I never would have wanted to.”

“Gaara…” He looked so beautiful just then. Naruto snatched up his noodles again to prevent himself from leaping at him. “Would you like some curry-pan?”

The spell was broken. Gaara chuckled and picked up his bento box. “That stuff is awful. Do you know how much salt they pour into it?”

“Yeah, yeah, but it tastes good. And that’s all that matters.”

Gaara opened up his bento box and started eating.

“Is Uchiha still angry with you? He seemed pretty livid after this morning.”

“Heh, nothing I can’t handle. He’s always a bastard. Lately he seems even more intent on being one.”

“You should be careful Naruto…”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because he’s still not over you.”

Naruto’s head shot up so fast he nearly had whiplash. “Haha, what are you talking about?” He tried to hide his nervousness. “That’s ancient news! What on earth would possibly give you *that* idea?” He stared at the floor like it was his latest painting.

He could sense Gaara’s hand moving closer, fingers touching his chin and directing his gaze up. His breath hitched at the look in Gaara’s eyes.

“Because neither am I.”


***

As soon as the words left his mouth realization set in and he couldn’t breathe. No, no, he didn’t believe in silly superstitions like holding his breath, but he literally couldn’t. Gaara froze in complete shock. One moment he was confessing to the object of his desire these past three years and the next, said object of desire had bowled him over—food clattering, head smacking the concrete, and one hyper active blonde mashing his lips and nose against his.

Gaara wished half his fantasies came true this easily.

His hands came up to cup Uzumaki’s face. He pulled back a little, but didn’t break contact. Less aggression, more delicacy.

When Naruto eventually pulled away, he opened those sparkling blue eyes and gave the brightest smile Gaara had ever seen.

Gaara smiled. “Uzumaki.”

“NAni?”

“You’re making a mess.” He gestured towards his right and watched the horror settle over the taller boy’s face.

“NOT the RAmen!!” He fumbled in his attempt to scramble off of Gaara, and when he snatched up the cup, just a few drops remained inside.

Naruto looked crestfallen at the sight of the still steaming noodles on the cement floor. “My ramen…”

“And here I thought I had half a chance against your first love.”

“Huh?”

Gaara gestured towards the ramen.

“Ahahaha! You can’t compare! It’s completely different. You really should try it more often.”

“I had a pretty good taste of it off of you.”

Naruto blushed. The weight of his actions seemed to have caught up with him. His right hand flew up to the back of his head in what Gaara was beginning to believe was a nervous gesture.

“Ehehehe, sorry about that. I don’t know what got into me.”

“Are you really?” Gaara’s heart sped up, “Sorry… that you did it?” He tried to hide his discomfort, particularly when Naruto paled.


Naruto gulped. Was Gaara… trying to offer him a way out? Gaara appeared to be calm, but he couldn’t help but noticed the way his jaw muscles clenched and how his eyes seemed to be looking just below his, rather than eye level.

Naruto scoot up next to the pale boy, eyes never leaving his. He put his warm, broad hand over the clenched fist trembling on the concrete floor. “Sorry that I didn’t warn you. Definitely not sorry that I did it.” Naruto flashed that foxy grin. The one that oozed an easy confidence Gaara had worked so hard to match; and in that moment, he knew how sincere he was.

For the first time, in years, the red haired leader didn’t know how to respond. He indulged, instead, in following his instincts.

Leaning forward, his eyes darted from Uzumaki’s eyes to his kissable mouth. He had to tip his chin up to account for their recent height difference, and chastely pressed his lips against the other boy’s.

“Does this make us even?”

“Naruto kept his eyes closed his lips just brushing Gaara’s.

He smiled devilishly.

“Not enough surprise. You’ll have to try harder next time.”

Gaara smirked and pulled away. “I’ll do my best.”

Naruto smiled and then turned to the mess it hand. His smile seemed to deflate a bit and he pulled out his curry pan.

Food now. Talk later. Too many things needed to settle.

Gaara took up the remains of his neglected bento box. He wanted to giggle maniacally, or pounce on Uzumaki on live out fantasy #34. So instead, he ate his onigiri.

Uzumaki happily munched on his curry pan. He seemed to take a particularly long time chewing one bite when he posed, as if ready to break the silence.

“Does this mean you’re my girlfriend?”

Gaara raised a brow. “What makes you think I’m the girl?”

“You *are* the fairy,” he grinned.

Gaara punched his arm. Hard.

Shikamaru lazily climbed the stairs to the school roof. He felt like a free man, having shaken off the yoke of his demanding committee leader.

Ino was absent.

He reached the top door but we stopped in his tracks by the sight of two very recognizable figures sitting at the top. Neji, the school vice president, and the only rival to ice prince Uchiha, smiling with a blonde girl he believed to be Gaara’s sister.

“Excuse me.”

Their talk halted. The fearsome blonde gave him and evil eye and dared him to interrupt them.

“My apologies Nara-kun, but it has been decided that the school rooftop will be inaccessible to students for the remainder of this term.”

“Then why are you here?”

“To inform any potential visitors.”

“Che. Can’t you find someplace else to make out.”

The blonde jumped to her feet. “Wanna make me?”

Shikamaru sized her up. And then remembered whose sister she was.

“Too much work.” He turned around and head back down the stairs.

Just when he thought he was free…


***
Sorry for the wait. Work has been very busy @_@ I haven't had much time online. Hope you enjoyed! And thanks to everyone who reviewed!