Timely Devotion

~Disclaimer~ I do not own Naruto nor make any profit from using the characters to my advantage.

*Waves* Hi there! Bet a lot of you didn’t think I’d continue with the sequel to TA did ya? Well, I have been having like an overload of stuff in my head lately which has caused me to be a bit… umm.. Dunno how to put it nicely, but basically I feel like a dunderhead at times. Anyways! I figured, it is my brain telling me I need to get rid of all this extraness in my head and put it to good use! So, I wrote a new chapter to Bunshin Pizza(check that out if you haven’t please!), and then decided I would work on the sequel (give ladygizarme some love and cookies for bringing it up to me tonight).

So, this is the continuation of the Epilogue of The Affair, and it would probably do you well to read TA first if you haven’t!! As you know, the characters are slightly (some more so than others) OOC but that is mainly b/c they are living different lives than what we all know they’ve lived.

Anyways, have fun reading this. This is just the beginning!

beta’d by: ladygizarme

*~*~*~*~*

It is about ten-thirty by the time I get home. Shikamaru has some ramen boiling on the stove for me when I walk in.

I kick off my shoes as soon as I get in, setting my stuff on the counter, and work all my clothes off as I walk to my room. By the time I close my door I have my shirt off and my pants are unbuckled and hit the floor. I find some blue pajama bottoms and a wife beater among my clean clothes, and toss them on before I head to the living room.

Already sitting on the table is a cold glass of tea in front of my normal spot on the couch. I take a long drink after I position myself cross-legged on the cushion. Once I set my tea back down, Shika comes in with a hot bowl of roasted chicken ramen with a slice of cheese on top. Just the way I like it!

“Thank you, haigusha!” I smile at my best friend before I blow on my fork full of ramen and dig in.

Shika picks up the gallon of tea and refills his and my glass before placing it back beside his foot. “How’d work go,” he asks, while flipping through the channels.

“Mm… the usual bullshit. Stupid registers crashed right when the last customer was checking out!”

“I hate that. Has happened to me one too many times as well,” Shika says, stopping on a new episode of Mythbusters.

“I know! Ooh… Mythbusters.” I focus on the show as I eat my bowl of ramen. Shika and I sit back and chat through commercials about how the rest of our day went and what plans we will make for the weekend.

The hour goes by and the show ends. I get up and stretch, my back popping in a few places. “Ahh… nice.” I pick up my bowl and glass, getting a refill one last time before I migrate to my bedroom. I drop the dirty bowl in the sink, rinsing it before going to my hideout. Kyoudai follows me to my room, and I close the door half way as to not disturb Shikamaru when I turn my music on since he has to get up earlier than I do.

I check on all my critters, making sure everyone still has plenty of food and water before I hop in bed. Kyoudai jumps up with me, and I pull my keyboard over my lap as I begin to mess with my computer. The pup curls up at my feet as usual, and I give her a pat on the head before going back to my computer.

I notice immediately I have an add invite on my YIM messenger.

“Shit!” I have totally forgot about Gaara IMing me tonight!

I add his screen-name and open his IM box. He has already sent me a message.

ailoveai: Sasuke?

Iheartpot: hey Gaara!

I sit there for a minute, disappointed that he must have left for the night.

ailoveai: hey didn’t think you’d ever get on

Iheartpot: sorry about that! my roomie had dinner ready and I lost track of time.

Ailoveai: no problem. You’re here now

Iheartpot: yep ^_^

Iheartpot: so… how’s the new guy? Did he eat his crickets tonight?

Ailoveai: oh he’s great! He chased around the crickets and caught all 5. I did as you said, though, one at a time.

Iheartpot: good to hear! Have you given him a name yet?

Ailoveai: umm yeah… Ai

Iheartpot: haha I like it ^__^

Ailoveai: ^__^ Cool. So, a Prince of Tennis fan, I see?

Iheartpot: you know it! You?

Ailoveai: I wasn’t at first, but it grew on me. I haven’t seen the OVAs though

Iheartpot: me neither! Maybe we could watch them together some time?

I am surprised with myself for blatantly asking him out. Something about him really makes me want to get to know him more, though.

ailoveai: Sounds like a plan to me. When is your next day off?

Iheartpot: Monday, unfortunately -___-

Ailoveai: actually, that’s perfect. I am too.

Iheartpot: O.o rly?

Ailoveai: yeah… want to come over and check out my anime collection?

Iheartpot: definitely -__-

Ailoveai: ha ok then… maybe we’ll order in pizza?

Iheartpot: definitely -___-

Ailoveai: ^__^ I like you, Sasuke

Iheartpot: I like you too, Gaara ^__^

Ailoveai: *blushes* well, I need to go to bed. I have errands to run in the morning, but we’ll talk again tomorrow?

Iheartpot: sounds like a plan. Night Gaara

Ailoveai: Good night Sasuke

I fall back in my bed as I minimize his IM. I am going to hang out with Gaara Monday. I haven’t felt this good in a long time. Not even when I was hanging with Naruto. Well, that I know why. There was all the drama attached to him. I don’t sense drama with Gaara.

I sigh in contentment at the conversation, but can still feel a flutter of excitement in my stomach from it. Exhausted from the day, I decide to leave all else for the morning. I pull my blankets over my shoulders and curl up to sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*

The weekend goes by so slow. I have a feeling it is because I am anticipating my day with Gaara on Monday, though. Shika and I do a few things over the weekend which make time go by a bit faster.

Every night ends with Gaara and I having short chats on messenger. He is a right gentleman. Our chemistry meshes well, so my excitement for Monday is overwhelming. I can barely sleep Sunday night.

We decide to meet and grab breakfast at the Bread Company on Monday morning. After getting up and getting ready, I make my way to the Bread Co. It is a short drive in reality, but in my reality it is the longest trip ever. I find a spot and make my way inside. I find Gaara waiting for me at a table already.

“Sasuke,” he greets, a hand in the air.

“Hey! Did I make you wait long?” I take a seat across from him and watch as he shakes his head no. I smile and ask if he is ready to order.

“Yeah, let’s go.” He stands and I follow him to the line to choose our bagels.

We order and make our way back to our table, both of us with a bagel and drink in hand.

“So when we get to my house, you can choose anything you like and we can have a marathon,” the redhead says, a half smile gracing his face.

“Do you have anything you haven’t watched yet?” I ask.

“Of course. It’s really boring watching anime by yourself, but I find really good deals so I don’t pass up on them. But my collection of unwatched anime is getting larger and larger.” He takes a sip of his juice and looks at me.

I can’t help but smile at what that look is implying. “I agree, it is much more enjoyable watching anime with someone than without. If you can’t ever find someone to watch something with you Gaara, please feel free to call on me.” I can feel a blush coming, and look down to take a bite of my bagel. I take a chance and glance back up to see a pleasant smile on the redhead’s face.

“I will take you up on your offer then, Sasuke. You can count on it.”

I smile back and take a drink of my juice.

After we finish our breakfast he tells me to follow him to his house.

*~*~*~*~*

TBC….

*~*~*~*~*

Well, that is just a bit of a tease, ne? Hope you all enjoyed and I promise the chapters will be longer next time! Please rate and review if you liked (or even disliked) this new fic of mine!

Sankyuu!

~Houseki