From the Inside

I know, it’s been awhile since I‘ve updated. So here‘s chapter 7. I hope you all enjoy it! I want to say thank you to everyone that has reviewed and a double thanks to those who have been with this story since the beginning. Please review!!!
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Chapter 7: In Despair

Suigetsu Hozuki made the short walk to Sharingan Enterprises. Each day he stops at the local coffee shop, gets his usual then makes his way to the newsstand to buy the paper. But today the magazines caught his eye. He flipped through the book. Staring back at him were familiar sapphire blue eyes. He brought the magazine and quickened his pace to Sasuke’s office. He walked through the office doors.

“You’re late.”
“Shut up and look at this.” He threw the magazine on the desk. Sasuke’s eyes glared at the blond on the inside cover.
“Find out everything about Hatake Designs. Notify me once you find Naruto.”

Suigetsu nodded and left the room.


Naruto found himself sitting across Gaara in a nice restaurant. At first he couldn’t believe that it was on a boardwalk. Their table had a great view of the beach and far off sunset. The dinner was amazing. It had been so long since he had been on a date. Naruto couldn’t remember a time where he had so much fun. After dinner, he and Gaara had slowly walked to the pier. It was so scenic and beautiful. He and Gaara sat on the edge in a comfortable silence. They talked and watched the sun until it disappeared. As night fell, Naruto cuddled into Gaara’s warm arms.

He was almost sad because he knew it was coming to an end. They drove back to Naruto’s house. As they walked up the driveway to the door, Naruto dreaded the part of where he had to let go. He didn’t want to let go of this moment, this night, of Gaara’s hand. He wanted to keep it all forever.


“I had a great time.” Naruto looked into Gaara’s eyes.
“Me too.”
“Would you like to go out with me again?” Sapphire eyes sparkled.
“I would love to.”

The pair were surprised when the front door suddenly opened. Naruto grunted as Kisho wrapped himself around his leg.

“Papa, whose this?” Naruto looked at Gaara and blushed.
“This is Gaara, he’s a friend.”
“Oh, hi. I’m Kisho.” Gaara smiled
“It’s nice to meet you Kisho.”
“Honey, why don’t you go back inside so I can talk to Gaara.”
“Okay. By Gaara.” Naruto chuckled as his son went back inside
“Sorry about that.”

Gaara smiled and leaned forward to place a kiss on Naruto’s whiskered cheek.

“Don’t be. Goodnight Naruto.”
“Goodnight Gaara.” He smiled.

Oblivious to the world around him, Naruto made it to his bed where his thoughts and dreams were clouded with the redhead.

Even as the next day came Naruto couldn’t stop thinking about Gaara.

“So I take it, that your date went well.”
“Huh..” Ino laughed.
“It must have went really well.”
“Yeah, it was quiet at first but as the night went on, I never felt so comfortable. Everything seemed so right.”
“Do you think it’s serious?”
“Nah, too soon to tell. But I kind of want it to be.”
“Kind of?”
“Well, I’m scared. I mean I want someone to be with. I just don’t want it to end up like Sasuke.”
“I don’t think anyone does.”

They continued with their work. It was early evening when Kakashi received a phone call from the office in Japan.

“Hello.”
“Hey Kakashi, its me Genma. The picture for the inside cover ad looks great. Never thought Naruto would come out of retirement, what with his ass of a husband. The redhead looks good too. Who is he?”
“Genma, what are you talking about?”
“There are pictures of Naruto and the redhead all over Tokyo!”
“Fuck.”

Kakashi hung up the phone and tossed it across the room. He quickly walked down the hall and entered Naruto’s office. The blonde looked up in surprise.

“You and Ino in my office, now!” He stormed back down the hall to Sakura’s desk. “Office now.”

They all rushed into the office and sat down. The tension in the room was high. Everyone could feel the frustration and anger radiating off of Kakashi.

“We have a problem.”

At that moment Naruto knew it had something to do with Sasuke. Kakashi turned his gaze to Sakura.

“Can you tell me why this months ad photos were published worldwide when I specifically noted that they were not to be?” Sakura sat ridged and frozen. She knew that she had messed up. “I want you out of the office by the end of the day.”

They watched in silence as the pink haired girl sluggishly left the room. Ino gently laid her hand on top of Naruto’s. He cradled her hand with need.

“He knows.” Kakashi turned to Naruto.
“I can only assume so.”
“What can we do?” Ino asked
“Well for now, I think Naruto should stop modeling and lay low.”
“No.” All heads turned to Naruto.
“I don’t want to hide anymore. I love doing what I do. That bastard stole five years of my life. I’m finally free and able to live. Kisho and I are happy. I’m not going to let him intimidate me anymore!”
“I know you’re tired but if Sasuke does come here, you have to think about Kisho’s safety. You should at least come up with a plan.” Said Ino.

Naruto was lost in thoughts. He knew this day would come but just not this soon. He and Kisho were starting to build a life. Naruto didn’t want to leave. But he had to think about what was the best for his son. And that was for him to be safe.

“I think it would be best for Kisho to stay with someone else. Someone that Sasuke has no power over.”

The perfect person came to Naruto’s head. He quickly got up and headed out the room. They stared at the retreating blond with worry. Stepping into his office, he closed the door and dialed the number of the only man he could trust.

“Hello?”
“Jiraiya, I need a favor.”
“Sure kid, what is it?”
“Can you take care of Kisho for a few weeks?”
“I cant take a kid with me. He’ll mess with my research!”
“Please, he’s in danger! You can mentor him, like you did with me. Please Ero-sennin. I know I’m asking for a lot but I need Kisho to be safe and you’re the only one who can do it! Please.” Jiraiya sighed
“It’s Sasuke isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright kid, I’ll take him.”
“Thank you.”

He told Jiraiya when to come to his house. When he finished, Naruto rushed home. It was hard trying to keep up a façade so Iruka wouldn’t suspect anything. Once Iruka left, Naruto quickly ran upstairs to pack a small bag for Kisho to take.

“Kisho!” The now six year old bounded into the room.
“Yes Papa.” Naruto sat on the bed and placed Kisho onto his lap.
“You’re going to go on a trip, okay.” Kisho looked confused. “Uncle Jiraiya is going to take you to his job for a few weeks.”
“What about Papa?” Naruto tried to keep his composure.
“Papa’s not going. But you’re going to get to travel all over the world with Jiraiya. You’ll get to see cool different places and meet new people. You’re going to have so much fun.”
“But I don’t want to go without you!” The boy whined.
“Kisho, you have to. Promise me that you’ll be good for Uncle Jiraiya.” The raven looked up with glossy blue eyes.
“I promise.”

Naruto hugged Kisho close to him. His heart broke when he heard the doorbell ring. He picked up Kisho and his backpack and headed out the door to a waiting Jiraiya. He tossed the bag in the back seat. A tear escaped his eyes as he hugged his son. They clung to each other trying to remember every detail of who and what they were.

He buckled Kisho into the back seat and kissed the top of his forehead. Naruto closed the door and watched as Jiraiya backed out of the driveway. Once they were out of sight, Naruto could no longer hold back. Tears fell from his cerulean eyes. He felt something that he hadn’t for months, he felt broken. Everything felt far from him. Slowly, he walked back into an empty home. He did the only thing that seemed to make sense. He dialed a familiar number.

“Hello.” He sobbed into the receiver.
“Gaara….can you come over?”

TBC…
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I hope you all enjoyed the seventh chapter. I can’t wait for your reviews!!!! Happy Holidays!!!!