(NC-17 WARNING; if this bothers you, email me and I'll send you an edited version)

"Chasm" – Part III

The morning light beamed through the curtains and onto my face, beckoning me to wake up. I yawned and stretched, trying in vain to ignore it, but the persistent glow remained. Grumbling, I hopped out of bed, trudging into the bathroom to brush my teeth. That was about when I noticed it.

My yukata was basically falling off of me. One shoulder seemed to support the entire robe, while one arm was completely off and dragging on the floor. Even the ties, which held it together in front, were almost undone, basically exposing me to the world.

Had my sleep really been so full of unrest? On the contrary, I felt as though I had slept better than I had in ages, the tension I had felt incredibly lessened, but something in my mind didn't exactly click. I brushed my teeth, going over the previous day, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Awkward bath with Gaara, dinner alone, and then…

And then…what? My brain seemed to filter through its contents before my eyes went wide. Peace Cup. Sake. One, no, two cups. After that, it was hazy. I closed my eyes, trying so hard to remember. Gaara's eyes, the heat. Slowly. I could remember Gaara's face clear as day.

"You're drunk, Naruto."

My head nearly crashed into the mirror above the sink. I only prayed I hadn't acted like a complete fool. Gaara must've put me to bed. I could remember him there with me the whole time. My face started to burn when I recalled a warm kiss that started on my neck and threatened to reach my mouth. It never did.

"Ack!" I exclaimed, throwing my toothbrush and grabbing my hair. I must've been a complete and utter idiot last night! The alcohol seemed to have induced very odd (though not bad) dreams and delusions of grandeur. I really needed to apologize.

Fixing my yukata, I rushed to the Meeting Room, not even caring to fix my hair or appearance.

"Gaara!" I yelled, opening the door and rushing in. "I'm sorry! I—…" Pausing, I looked around the room. Gaara wasn't there. However, there were two plates of food—one full, one empty.

"Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served at 8 AM, 12 PM, and 6 PM to the adjoined Meeting Room."

A white flag seemed to erect in my mind, the word "Breakfast" painted upon it in bold, red letters. When I finally brought myself to look at the clock, I could feel a little of my soul leave my body.

12:20 PM.

"You will dine with the Kazekage at each of the previously specified hours. Promptly."

A second flag popped up beside the first one in my mind. It read "Lunch", and the two flags combined to form the word "Idiot". I paced around the room a little, nearly tripping on a few pillows before the fated words echoed in my mind.

"If the Kazekage does not show, don't worry about it; however…"

I could feel the chasm between us gradually widening.

"…however, if you are late or fail to show, it is considered a great dishonor."

ooo

I don't know how I finally drove myself to leave my room. My usual attire had been cleaned and it now felt comfortable to walk around in. Despite that, I was still extremely uncomfortable.

Somehow, I felt like I had let Gaara down. Even if it had been for something so meager as two scheduled meals…I had still left him alone. This was splendidly after I had spent the Peace Cup smashed. If he hated me now, I would not be surprised. Even if he did hate me, I doubted he would show it. Gaara was, indeed, very kind.

"Naruto?"

Hearing my name, I looked up, realizing I was seconds away from walking right into Kankurou. "Um, sorry," I said, scratching the back of my head and smiling guiltily.

Kankurou looked semi-normal today with plain clothes and his usual face paint. He sized me up, giving me a suspicious glance. "Are you okay? You don't seem like yourself."

"Ah, I'm fine," I lied, waving my hands quickly. "Oi, by any chance, have you seen Gaara?"

Kankurou didn't look convinced. "Did you just wake up?"

I released a nervous chuckle. It was a little too nervous.

Kankurou made me follow him, taking me to another wing entirely before we entered a room. Judging by the large assortment of puppets in the chamber, and the suspiciously familiar one by the bed, I decided pretty quickly it was his bedroom. He instructed me to take a seat, and so I did, leaning into a chair at a small table by an open window. Kankurou grabbed another chair and sat on it backwards, crossing his arms over the back of it.

"So," he said cavalierly, "what's up?"

I plastered a stupid grin on my face and stood up to leave. "I suddenly remembered something I have to—" I could feel Kankurou's chakra strings immediately attach, directing me back to my chair. "Just kidding."

Stupid puppeteers.

But Kankurou's gaze seemed to soften a bit. "Naruto…what's wrong?"

Sighing my defeat, I looked down at my twiddling thumbs. "I missed breakfast and lunch."

"…That's all? And here I thought you had committed some crime, what with the way you're moping around." He faced me with a smile. "That's really all it is?"

"That's all, you ask?" I said a little helplessly. "I…I dishonored Gaara. I let him down. I…" My face fell, eyes covered in shadow, "I left him alone."

There was a moment of silence before Kankurou chuckled, and I realized it was the first time I had ever heard him do so. "Oh, I see," he said with a kind of ethereal wisdom. "You're in love with Gaara."

Hearing someone else other than myself suggest such a thought, I really started to consider it. That was why I didn't deny it.

Kankurou stood, holding his arms behind his back and staring outside at the endless desert sand. "Naruto…if there's one thing you should understand about my brother, it's that he doesn't expect much. Prior to the present, he's lived in almost a separate world from you or I, a world of pain and sadness…A world without anyone else. To have that change so quickly, well, I'm sure he doesn't quite believe it yet." Turning to face me, his smile was bittersweet. "If you miss a few meals, I'm sure he won't be surprised. It's probably…what he expects…"

I could feel my hands clench, gripping the orange fabric of my pants tightly.

"If you've ever seen his eyes, then you'll know what I mean. His eyes reflect nothing," Kankurou said, as though he could see them at that moment. "He doesn't let anyone in…Not me, not Temari…No one. I think he's afraid that if he lets someone in, and they hurt him, he'll never recover. Protecting himself from an attack is simple for him. Even if the attack breaches his sand guard, he knows he'll eventually recover. Protecting himself from other people…from you, while it may prove difficult, he can accomplish even this. I suppose what you need to do is break past that defense…" he placed a hand over his chest. "You need to reach his heart."

"It's…not fair," I said through gritted teeth, seemingly endless tears falling from my eyes and splashing onto my balled fists. "Why is it always Gaara? Even now, is he not allowed even a little bit of happiness?"

"I think you're asking the wrong question, Naruto," Kankurou said quietly, facing the outside once again. "Why doesn't Gaara allow himself to be happy? I think happiness is all around him…but he doesn't dare reach out for it."

My breath seemed to catch as I realized the truth in his words. Even when I was with Gaara, even when he looked at me with those guarded eyes…he was alone. Why did it have to be like this?

And that's when realization hit: It didn't.

As I stood up to leave, Kankurou didn't stop me. He did however address me one last time.

"I trusted you to save my brother's life," he said quietly. "Now I trust you to save his heart."

I smiled, flashing a thumbs-up even though he couldn't see it.

"Oh, and Naruto—" he said when I was at the door about to leave. Stopping, I turned to face him. "I forgot to tell you what the punishment of missing a meal is…"

Blinking, I awaited his answer.

"One meal is excusable," he said, holding up one finger. "But two…" he turned to face me, a sneaky grin on his face. He seemed to be flashing a peace sign. "Two indiscretions means the Honored Guest must offer himself to the Kazekage and indulge him in any way he sees fit." Pivoting back towards the window, he tossed up a wave. "Just thought you should know."

Despite the blush that crept onto my face, I couldn't help but smile. "You're a good guy, Kankurou," I said earnestly, "and a great brother, too."

ooo

I was lost.

No, seriously, I was completely and utterly lost. Hadn't I just rounded this corner a few minutes ago? Scratching my head, I pouted my lower lip, wondering when on earth the Kazekage mansion had become so large. Walking did give me time to think, though. I remembered the Mission Report I still had yet to obtain, but more importantly, I remembered Gaara, whose stoic face had invaded my thoughts.

His visage was so vivid in my mind, that burnt-red hair that looked soft to the touch, the lips that I now knew were incredibly soft. I saw his eyes, that curious mix of sapphire and emerald, eyes that reflected nothing, eyes that reflected only what he wanted one to see. I smiled sadly, realizing then that he didn't want to let me in. Even standing right beside me, he only allowed me to come within a certain distance.

I released a weary breath and nearly jumped out of my skin when a clocked chimed. It announced the fourth hour with coordinating bells and rings before falling silent once more. Four already? Just how long had I been wandering around? Slapping my cheeks, I vowed to get it together and find my way. I didn't want to be late for dinner, too, although in my mind I wondered if Gaara would even show up. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't.

Turning the corner, I came upon a section of the estate that was worn down and uncared for. It was like a dead end, with many furniture pieces covered in ghostly white sheets, along with other items like old pictures and random accessories. I would've turned and left, but a particularly large canvas leaning against the wall caught my eye. It had to have been somewhere near twelve feet tall with a slightly shorter width. Slowly approaching it, I reached my hand out, ready to grab the white drape.

"Snooping is unbecoming, Naruto."

I froze in my steps and turned with a polite smile to face Temari. She was pleasantly clothed this time around. "Ah…hello!"

"This wing is forbidden," she explained with a smirk. "Gaara himself deemed it so."

"Gaara?"

Raising a sandy brow, Temari motioned for me to follow. "If you're lost, follow me…You are lost, right?"

Grimacing, I trudged over beside her, matching her steps as she began to move.

"You want to know what that canvas was back there?" she asked, briefly facing me before again facing forward. I watched as an amused smile graced her features. "I know you do; you don't have to tell me." We started down another hall that seemed to last forever. "Have you seen the painting in the Meeting Room?"

"'Chasm'?"

"That's the one. Well, Gaara had that picture put up when he first became Kazekage. It was interesting because he had never really taken a fancy to art before." She seemed to be looking into the past. "You could tell when he saw it that he really liked it. The artist was a man who was known for his controversial subjects of art, and he had even been killed for them. His art had been scattered throughout the lands following his death, the subjects of the art as random as their locations, but a particular pair of paintings were actually based on the Ichibi."

I remembered the large tanuki that resided within Gaara's body—the Ichibi—Shukaku.

"One of the paintings is the one you've seen in the Meeting Room. Gaara likes this one best. I think he believes that it represents the truth."

"If you look closely enough, you'll notice that there's a large split in the ground between them…"

My eyebrows knitted together as I remembered the boy and the monster. "The truth?"

"Gaara believes that men and monsters should always be kept apart."

"It shows that they can never be together."

I couldn't stop the wave of sadness that washed over me. "I don't think that's what it's about at all…"

"Maybe caring isn't enough."

"You know," the kunoichi began, a reminiscent smile on her face, "I know it was hard for you to say goodbye to Gaara before…but it tore him up inside to have to do it. Even so, he guided you to do the right thing. He truly cares for you, Naruto."

I started when Temari suddenly ruffled my hair. "Cheer up," she said, putting to good use her eldest sister skills. "Gaara would be sad if he saw you like this."

I tried to hide my feelings, but I'm sure they were quite evident. "Yeah…"

"We're almost there, just down this hall."

"Do you think Gaara will come to dinner?"

Temari suddenly stopped, looking at me with blunt perplexity. "No…" And then she cautiously asked, "Weren't you told?"

For some reason, my heart seemed to skip a beat. "Told what?" Why was I suddenly tremendously worried?

"I thought you knew…" Her face seemed to look at me with pity. "Gaara's been injured."

ooo

When the clock struck ten, I looked up at Gaara again to see if his condition had improved at all. He still lay there motionless, the only sign of life being the telltale rise and fall of his chest. Even that seemed weak. Reaching out, I covered his hand with mine, silently praying that he would wake up soon.

"He was out briefing some Jonin on a mission when there was an attempt on his life," Temari had explained.

I had remained by Gaara's side ever since I left Temari. When I found him, he was sleeping quietly in his room, still dressed in his regular black-based attire.

"It wasn't anything serious; the culprit, some crazy zealot, was caught and imprisoned. He had used a low-level poison, which he dipped his dagger into. The cut just barely grazed his arm, but it was enough to do some damage. He must have been distracted…His sand armor always protects him."

Looking at him now, his stillness and silence reminded me of the time when Gaara actually had died. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to ward away the memory.

"Gaara…please be okay," I said quietly, staring into his face. Deftly, I ran my fingers through his hair before dragging my knuckles gently down his cheek.

"As long as he sleeps it off, he'll be all right. He's like you—a fighter and a fast healer—but maybe a little more delicate."

Leaning my head beside him on the bed, I closed my eyes, hoping, wishing, praying that he would be all right.

I don't know how long I lay there like that, but at some point I heard chimes again, and, ignoring them, I was embraced by the black folds of sleep once more. When the bells rang again, it was harder to ignore them. I felt the bed shift and a hand touch my hair.

"Naruto?" a semi-weak voice asked, as though it wasn't quite sure.

Opening my eyes, I turned to face Gaara, who blinked sleepily at me in the darkness. He seemed to be trying to make sense of the situation, and as I regained my bearings, I could see why. My right arm was draped across his waist, while my head had been somewhere on his stomach. The other hand now loosely gripped his own. It was a bit…awkward.

"Uh…sorry," I said shamefacedly, sitting up in such a way that I wouldn't disturb Gaara. Outside, the moon was a glowing, white orb, and I could only guess what time it was. "Are you thirsty?" I asked, lighting a candle by the bed.

Gaara turned away from me, staring into some unknown void. "No."

Glaring, I grabbed the water bottle beside the bed. "You need to drink, Gaara. It's important to keep hydrated."

"I'm too weak right now," was all he said, snuggling a little into his pillow.

With a resolute sigh, I couldn't help but smile at him faintly. We were both very stubborn. "Gaara," I said softly, "that's why I'm here to help you."

Taking a sip of water, I put my hand behind Gaara's head and eased him upward. When he turned to look at me with confusion, I took the chance and pressed my mouth to his. His gasp of surprise allowed me to carefully guide the water from my lips to his own.

"That wasn't so painful, eh?" I said cheerfully, wiping my mouth but also hiding my blush. Gaara stared back at me, and I could see the frustration he was feeling. I think it was the first time since I had arrived that I could truly understand how he felt. "Are you feeling better now?" When he didn't answer, I held the water bottle up and shook it. "There's plenty more where that came from…"

Taking the water bottle from me, I could tell it took great strength to retain his stony composure this time. I couldn't help but beam. I watched as he finished the water off with finesse, his throat straining to swallow in his weakened state. Somehow, watching him made the room start to feel warm again.

"I'm…sorry I missed breakfast and lunch earlier," I said, looking anywhere but his face now. At least this way I could take my mind off his body and onto more pressing matters.

Gaara sat the empty bottle back on the nightstand. "It's fine. I could've had you awakened, but I figured you needed sleep. Why does it matter now?" The wall between us was almost tangible, a defiant force that I truly wondered if I could break.

"It does matter." I said passionately. "It mattered then; it matters now; it will always matter."

"To whom?"

"To me!" I told him, trying to tell him with every fiber of my being that I was sincere. "Gaara…" I could feel my face reddening, but I didn't care, "I care about you so much. I…cherish you." My smile was probably a little weak as I felt the truth threatening to spill from my mouth. "I…" Feeling a burst of determination, I looked at him with confidence. "I—"

The knock at the door caught me undeniably off guard. Standing, I went to the door, thanked the maid who waited patiently, and closed the door when she gave me what I had requested a few hours earlier.

"I'm glad she remembered," I said, confidence now severely lacking. Gaara stared on at me with those mysterious eyes, those eyes that waited patiently for something I couldn't decipher. Holding the bowl to Gaara, I let him see the contents it withheld—miso soup. "This is for you," I explained, taking hold of the spoon that clanked around loudly with each slight movement of my hand.

Gaara looked from the soup to me before crossing his arms and letting out a tired sigh. "I'm not hungry."

"I don't care." Readying a spoonful, I held the mouthful in front of his lips. He merely stared at me, and I tried with all my might to tell him with my eyes that I was not going to back down.

Finally, he seemed to give up, enveloping the spoonful with his mouth and swallowing. Such a harmless action made my blood race, and I started to wonder if this was such a good idea. Sitting the bowl aside, I unzipped my jacket and tossed it over the back of my chair along with my headband. The plain black, skintight shirt I still wore provided some exposure to air. Gaara just stared back at me. Was it just me, or did I sense some amusement behind those turquoise eyes? Shrugging it off, I prepared another spoonful and watched happily as Gaara consumed it. His strength seemed to return bit by bit with each bite.

"Um, I hope I didn't do anything weird last night," I said nervously. "Either way, I'm sorry."

Gaara turned to look at the door of the Meeting Room. "You don't remember?" He seemed to recollect what I could not. "You were…hospitable."

My throat seemed to burn, recalling some warm contact, and I could feel a weird tingling that lead to the corner of my mouth. "Anyways, thank you for bringing me to my room."

Gaara nodded before turning to take another bite. I was glad to be helping him like this; it made me feel like I was needed.

"You don't have to do this," he said when the bowl was half empty.

I just grinned, saying, "Yes, I do."

He didn't seem to understand. "Why?"

My stomach prickled again with the memory of his lips on my seal. "Well, I care about you. You're an important person to me," I confessed, feeding him another mouthful. "And if you want to be really technical, I owe you."

"You do?"

"Two infractions," I said with a smile, flashing a peace sign as well. "I offer myself to you, Kazekage. Feel free to use me as you see fit."

Gaara looked down at his hands, which were folded neatly on his lap. "A favor?"

"Of course," I said frankly. "But, it's also a favor I want to grant, one I've owed for a long time." My hand curled tightly around the spoon's handle. "It's my fault there's a chasm between us…isn't it?"

Looking up from his lap, Gaara faced me with baffled eyes. "Why this, all of a sudden?"

"Why not?" I shrugged, staring down in the bowl of soup as though it held all of the answers. "I think I finally understand the painting a little better…" I could feel Gaara's intense gaze on me—intense, but patient at the same time. Gaara really was too kind. "The boy is sad, not because they can't be together…no, he cares very much for the monster before him. Instead, he's sad because, despite everything, he still keeps the monster at a distance, a safe expanse away. To get close enough is to face the truth, and even if he wants to…something stops him every time."

Gaara's eyes seemed a little sad. The wall between us was starting to crumble. "What?"

Facing him with my usual smile, I didn't hide the tear that trailed down my cheek. "Me," I said, the truth stinging badly. "It's my fault." I prepared another spoonful, and Gaara accepted it before saying he was finished. "Well, that's not like me," I said cheerfully, sitting the bowl down and drying my eyes on the back of my sleeve.

I tried to manage a laugh, but it came out sounding really pathetic. Glancing at Gaara, I saw the small stream of soup that had trailed from the corner of his mouth. "Ah, you…dribbled a little," I said, the words coming out slowly. Where had I heard them before…? Brushing that aside, I reached over to wipe it away, but Gaara caught my hand. The move surprised me, and I lost my balance, falling into the bed and Gaara's lap.

When I finally regained some semblance of reasoning, I sat up, my right arm still held tight by Gaara. The only way to keep my balance was to steady my left arm against the headboard right by Gaara's face, so the position ended up being a little…peculiar. Our faces were so close. Our mouths…

Shaking my head, I tried to will the thoughts away. I could see the faint shimmer of the soup on his chin, but in my present state I couldn't fix it. Unless… The room seemed to be getting warmer and warmer, and I tried to tell myself that it was against my will when I pressed my lips to his neck. I could taste the faint flavor of miso, mixed only with the unique taste of Gaara's skin. In my mind I kept flashing back to a similar situation, but I couldn't quite remember…Just what had happened last night? Gaara's pulse beat rhythmically beneath my lips, and as I gradually moved upward, my tongue tracing the thin trail, I felt his blood begin to rush faster, coursing unsteadily within its veins. Stopping only to catch my breath, I pressed an open-mouthed kiss right by his mouth, mirroring the move that seemed to be imprinted in my memory.

…Gaara. The fog in my mind seemed to lift as I replayed the sensual contact in my mind. Two cups of sake certainly made us both a little different.

Pulling back to look at him, I saw that Gaara's breathing had quickened up somewhat. His lips were slightly parted, and his eyes betrayed his helplessness in this moment. Had he, like I, realized that this time we couldn't mask our actions with intoxication? If I kissed him…would he push me away?

The chasm between us threatened to expand. I knew that if it grew too broad, there would be no fixing it.

Before I leaned in to kiss him, I paused only a few inches away from his mouth. "You're…not a monster, Gaara," I whispered. "To me…you are the one I treasure above all others. To me…you are precious."

I was caught a little off guard when Gaara suddenly kissed me. His lips were warm and welcoming, and I felt my eyes close almost immediately. Instinctively, I deepened the kiss, my tongue running across Gaara's lower lip before his mouth parted to receive me. He tasted spicy and sweet, an absolutely delicious combination I discovered as our tongues met and withdrew only to complete the cycle over again and again. The hand that Gaara held captive slowly entwined with his own, the fingers of each interlacing as though they were meant for one another.

"Gaara," I mumbled into his mouth, sad to leave it, but glad to know there were other parts of him to explore.

I retraced my previous steps, leaving kiss after kiss until I reached his neck again. He must've been sensitive there, because when I pressed a deep kiss to the junction where his neck met his shoulder, he gasped and arched, his nails threatening to leave crescents on the back of my hand. I paid special attention to this spot, Gaara's other hand fisting into the material on my back. His body trembled beneath me, and I could feel my own reacting in turn.

My very blood seemed to boil. The position I was in was starting to turn problematic, so I shifted, pulling both feet onto the bed. Kicking my sandals off, I guided Gaara backwards onto the sheets. He stared up at me, those gorgeous eyes belying nothing. Pressing a kiss to his temple and then his cheek, I couldn't help but unexpectedly blush.

"Ah, you're…probably uncomfortable, right?" I queried, scratching my head in embarrassment. We were still both fully clothed for the most part, and I was sure the temperature was gradually rising.

Reaching up, Gaara brushed the bangs from my eyes with affectionate precision. "I'm fine," was all he said.

I smiled, knowing Gaara was one to put others before himself. "You can tell me the truth, you know?" Dragging slowly down his body, I paused over his stomach, my eyes regarding him lazily. "Two infractions mean I'm all yours. What would you have me do, Lord Kazekage?"

Untying the sash that held the black folds of his robes together, I slowly pushed the blanket that covered his lower half down until the rest of his body was exposed. With the coverlet out of the way, the robes spread open with ease. Carefully, I guided Gaara's arms out of the sleeves, his upper half covered only by the thin, long-sleeved black shirt that clung to him like a second skin.

My face hovered above his waist before I decided to finally press a light kiss to the junction of his thighs. Unable to maintain his self-control, Gaara arched off the bed, drawing in a swift breath. His eyes squeezed shut, nails digging into the sheets, and when he faced me again, his eyes held within them the beautiful sign of surrender. The wall between us shattered in that instant, the pieces falling like the stars in the sky. Gaara's body stiffened as I kissed him there again and again, the innocent touches turning into an open-mouthed assault that was more foreign and exciting due to the fabric that separated us. Gaara's steady breathing echoed in my ears, and every time his breath would catch, his fingers dug deeper into the sheets, his head thrashing into the pillows beneath his head. Every once in a while, an innocent whimper would nearly drive me over the edge, and the increase in the tremors beneath me told me it was time to move on.

As I moved back up to face Gaara, planting both hands on either side of his face, I honestly wondered what I was doing. Gaara refused to look me in the eyes, his face filled with embarrassment and gratification, and as I peered down at his stunning, trembling body, I realized that I didn't know and frankly didn't care. As he struggled to catch his breath, I kissed him again, muffling his surprise in my throat. I wasn't really surprised when he took control, turning this lip-lock into a fiery duel. It was wet, and it was wild as we parted only for air and quickly commenced the duel of tongues. I could feel Gaara's hand fumbling with the zipper of my pants, but my mind didn't really register it until his hand slipped into my boxers, tightly encircling the stiffening member within.

My entire body seemed to come alive with that contact. "Nn..Gaara!" I whispered hoarsely, letting him win our oral battle. Like this, there was nothing I could do but allow him when he pushed me onto my back, turning me into the prisoner.

Gaara raised my shirt off, pulling it over my head and tossing it to the floor. His lips pressed to my chest countless times, lower with every new one, before his teeth grazed my nipple. Lightly, he bit it, before gently sucking and massaging it with his tongue. I bit my lower lip hard when he finally reached my abdomen. The whisper from the previous day seemed to resound on my skin.

"Why?"

Whimpering, I turned into the pillow beneath me, wishing for that contact again. Gaara seemed to read my thoughts, because his tongue traced the scarlet seal on my belly with deadly accuracy before pausing to whisper, "Why?"

My hands drew into fists at both the word and the contact. "What?"

"Why?" he asked again, mouth trailing lower. I thought I was going to die when he shrugged my pants off and discarded them as well. The heat in the room was overbearing, but it was not unwelcome. "Why do you torment me like this?"

His velvety voice sent my resolve plummeting. "I could…ask the same thing," I managed to say, a small smile curving my lips.

"What do you want, Naruto?" Gaara asked, pushing my legs apart. I gritted my teeth when I felt his warm breath upon me, and couldn't hold back the gasp when he pressed a wet kiss to my inner thigh before pulling my leg up and over his shoulder. I had never known such want, such need before for another person. Gaara's mouth drew dangerously close to the part of me that radiated with heat the most, and I prayed he would just finish it. "Show me," Gaara said, taking hold of one of my arms. "Show me where and what you want me to do."

Gaara's composure was obviously starting to build again, and I disliked him for that, especially when my emotions were so easy to read. I couldn't hide how I felt; my feelings were raw and exposed, uncovered for all to see. Plus, it wasn't fair. Just when I felt in control, Gaara took over and seemed to turn things around in a single strike.

"Are you mad?" Gaara inquired, his emotions curbed, but not completely suppressed. I could at least tell that he cared about my feelings.

"No," I answered succinctly. "I'm embarrassed."

He seemed to contemplate this before saying, "You are the only one whom I bare my true self to…Yet to me, you bare everything, always, never holding back. To me…you are precious as well."

I don't know why, but I could feel the sting of tears behind my eyes. "Dummy."

Gaara's eyes smiled as he took my hand, kissing each digit before releasing it. "Two infractions," he said calmly. "Show me what it is you want."

I opened my mouth to contradict him, before realizing I had gotten myself into this mess. Sighing my defeat, I reached down, my hand hovering shyly above my boxers before lowering all the way. Such a simple contact in front of Gaara sent vibrations all throughout my body. I could feel my heart beating in my ears as I began to knead the rigid flesh beneath my thin undergarments. All at once, my body jerked, and I tried to cover my eyes with my other arm, but Gaara held it fast. I whimpered my discontentment, but Gaara merely looked at me with eyes that read only satisfaction. I could feel release nearing in some faraway distance, but as I tried harder and harder to reach it, finally drawer ever closer, Gaara took my hand and pinned it to the bed. With his other hand, he yanked my boxers off in one pull, tossing them to the side. The warm air brushed over my skin like hot breath, and I blushed furiously at my complete exposure. My strangled cry rang out when Gaara's mouth finally enveloped me, liquid heat taking away any sanity I had left. I could feel his tongue as it swirled the tip of my manhood before he seemed to swallow me whole, drawing the whole of me into his mouth. Arching even deeper into the warm cavern, I came, my body trembling violently. Gaara swallowed what he could before snaking back up my body. His hands made circular motions of my chest and abdomen, and before I knew it, my body had calmed down.

"It's okay," Gaara murmured, my seed still shimmering on his lips. Pressing his mouth to mine, I winced at the strange flavor that invaded my mouth. Gaara's tongue slipped past my lips, giving me another taste, and when he finally pulled back, his eyes looked alight with deviltry.

Delicious, they seemed to say. But perhaps I was only seeing things. Gaara looked cool and composed as always.

Reaching out, I smiled weakly when Gaara finally took my hand, pulling me up and into his arms. "No fair," I whispered suggestively into his neck. "Only you get to see me naked?"

Biting his neck lightly, Gaara shivered. I took hold of the bottom of his shirt and peeled it off, pulling the sleeves off with only my teeth. The material ruffled Gaara's hair, and I chuckled, running my hands through his fiery strands before placing a chaste kiss on his forehead. For the first time ever, Gaara looked somewhat embarrassed. Throwing my arms around him, I sent him sprawling backwards onto the bed.

"You're so cute!" I couldn't help but say, snuggling into his neck.

Gaara turned his face so that his expression was masked behind my chest. I felt one of his arms as they came to rest on my shoulder blade. The other draped across my back. Lifting up to look at Gaara, I noticed that his breathing was fairly irregular, and his pulse was rapid. It seemed that there was still some poison circulating within him. That vulnerability I had glimpsed earlier seemed to resurface, and I was glad Gaara allowed me to see this side of him. Now…he needed me.

Pressing one more kiss to his lips, I crawled down his body, pulling the rest of his clothing—pants and boxers—with me. Tossing them over my shoulder, I ran my eyes over Gaara's stunning figure. "Beautiful," I said aloud, and Gaara looked away again. He truly was helpless lying there; the poison had weakened his resolve, and his irritation showed plainly on his face, accompanied by a charming blush. I was glad I was able to do to him what he did to me so effortlessly.

Crawling up between his legs, I watched with pleasure as Gaara threw his head back, struggling not to make a sound. Taking hold of his wrists with one hand, I held them above his head, steadying myself with the other. While I struggled to position myself comfortably, I felt my lower half brush against Gaara's taut member. Flinching, I sensed my body grow rigid again. Was I really so sensitive? I never had been before.

…Only with Gaara.

Experimenting, I rocked my hips, our bodies meeting flush against each other for what seemed like an eternity. Gaara's feeble cry still rang in my ears. It took me a moment to realize he had called out my name. Rolling my hips once more, my soft moan, mingled with Gaara's ardent whimper nearly drove me off the edge. Gaara arched, his arms still held captive above his head, and his body rubbed against mine, the contact raw, rugged, almost painful. Still, it was addictive.

"No…more…" Gaara struggled, his breath coming out in short gasps. "No more. Not like this." When he had finally regained some resemblance of control, he seemed to look off into that place I couldn't reach. "Naruto…Will you…make love to me?"

I froze on top of him, wondering if such a thing were even possible. "How?"

"There is a way," he continued softly. "But…I would only want you to agree if it was something you truly wanted."

My mind seemed to drift elsewhere as I contemplated the possibility. The ultimate act, and, in a way, the ultimate sacrifice. One person giving themself completely to another. Complete submission.

"Gaara…" I said slowly, my mind shifting through my thoughts, "Is this what you really want?"

Gaara's eyes seemed undeniably sad. "Help me…feel alive. My heart…" he squeezed his eyes shut, "even now, it hurts…"

I frowned at his words before kissing his chest. The periodic beat of his heart throbbed beneath my lips, and each beat seemed sad, forced almost. "Gaara," I whispered desolately, my tears falling without a sound onto his soft skin.

"Someone once told me that love cures the pain in one's heart," Gaara said. "If you're asking if I'm sure that I want this…then know now that I am."

As my tears continued to trickle onto Gaara's chest, I felt his hand softly smooth the back of my hair. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I looked up to face him. His blue-green eyes were unpredictably compassionate. "Then know now…that I want it, too." Even at this moment, I tried to lighten the mood. "Just tell me what to do," I said with an encouraging smile.

For a moment, Gaara seemed to try to analyze me, to look through my exterior and see why I did the things I did, before giving up altogether. It seemed we were both simply impossible to figure out.

Taking hold of my hand, Gaara kissed my palm soothingly. I started when he drew my pointer and middle finger into his mouth, his tongue thoroughly exploring them. Another part of me throbbed in turn, remembering all too well the mischief that mouth could produce. When my fingers were thoroughly coated in saliva, Gaara positioned my fingers at the tight entrance of his backside. Nudging him only a little, I looked quickly at Gaara to make sure I was doing the right thing. He merely nodded his consent.

The first finger slipped in with little difficulty; Gaara tensed for a moment as the foreign shock to his system wore off. The second finger proved slightly more difficult. It almost hurt me to continue when Gaara grimaced openly, revealing his pain to me. Gradually, I moved the fingers around, stretching him slowly but surely to fit my needs. After a few minutes, he seemed to relax, and I was so relieved that I kissed his brow.

"Is that all you need?" I asked, withdrawing my fingers. I'm sure my face was plastered with worry.

But, Gaara's eyes told me that everything would be all right. "It's all I want."

My body twitched when he grabbed my firm organ, placing it at his prepared entrance. His knees on either side of me, I truly felt that he was fully handing over a part of himself to me, entrusting me with something sacred that no one had ever seen before.

Ever-so-carefully, I began to ease into him, my body slowly driven into a luscious madness. I realized then how dangerous he really was. I could've lost myself within him, but I didn't care. I wanted that forbidden fruit that had dangled so many times before my eyes.

When I had finally pushed all the way in, I opened my eyes to face Gaara. His parted lips seemed to struggle to breathe in and out, and his pale cheeks were particularly flushed. Slinging one arm across his eyes, I could tell he was struggling not to cry.

Looking down at this person beneath me, this frail human being, I felt my heart fill with a calming sort of joy and contentment. I could no longer see the chasm between us; no, it seemed that gorge had been filled the moment I entered him, linking us inevitably now and forever. What was this curious feeling in my heart, the feeling that threatened to override my senses, my self…my entire being?

Lacing my fingers with his free hand, I leaned in close, drawing his hand away from his eyes. "Gaara…" I said, smiling when his teary, blue-green eyes opened to face me. "I love you."

I could see the immediate shock in his face; this expression he did not hide at all. As I lay there, reveling in the elation of my feelings, I realized that I wouldn't mind if Gaara didn't feel the same. It was simply enough for me to love him, and if need be, I would harbor enough love for the both of us.

Gaara's lower lip seemed to tremble. "Why?"

"I don't know," I said after some careful consideration. "I didn't really think about that. Gaara, I just fell in love with you."

When the tears spilled from his cheeks and didn't stop, I kissed them away. Pulling out progressively, I then pushed back in, slowly gaining rhythm and speed. My hand gripped between Gaara's legs, taking him with me; I wouldn't let him sit back without enjoying the ride. His body writhed beneath me, driving me closer and closer toward that wonderful oblivion. With his head thrown back in rapture, and arms that clung to me as though letting go would mean certain death, he truly was a beautiful sight to behold. Gaara's eyes still leaked, but I could tell it wasn't entirely from the pain. I fervently wished that the ache in his heart was alleviating, even if by the smallest fraction. I knew it wouldn't be cured in one night, but I hoped that, over time, I would be able to steadily help him heal his wounds and ultimately learn to love again.

Kissing the mark on his forehead, it wasn't long before I came, Gaara's name on my lips as I burst within him. My voice seemed to trigger Gaara's release, as he came soon after me. I collapsed onto the boy beneath me, faintly placing kisses in his hair, which was now damp with perspiration. Rolling over, I pulled Gaara to my chest, and, to my dulled astonishment, he let me hold him…if only for a little while.

"Mmn…" I moaned softly into his hair, trying in vain to fight the beckoning of sleep. "Love you…Gaara…So very much."

It may have been my imagination, but sometime after that, I felt warm sheets wrapped around my body, and the soft press of especially familiar lips upon my own.

ooo

The jarring sound of loud knocking tore me from my fitful sleep the next morning. Whining momentarily, I threw a pillow over my ears and struggled to ignore it, but the persistent rapping droned on.

"Lord Kazekage…" I faintly heard a voice call. "Lord Kazekage, are you in?"

I had never switched from dead-tired to wide-awake so fast before in my life. Kazekage? What? Looking down, I saw my naked body slowly exposed as I sat up, the blanket falling down to my waist. I felt an odd sense of satisfaction, some corporal high as I tried to make some sense of my situation.

Oh yeah. I could feel the inexorable smile as it split my face. Last night—

"Lord Kazekage, I'm coming in."

I hardly had time to protest when a maid came barging in, her hands full of scrolls and documents.

"The elders request your…" Looking at me, she blinked in confusion. All I could do was smile and laugh. "…Assistance…"

"Na…Good morning," I said cheerfully, even sporting a quick wave.

The maid stared at me for a couple more grueling seconds before realization dawned on her. "Honored Guest!"

"Heh…yeah…"

"…Oh." Then the even odder realization dawned on her. "Oh…"

Even though I'm sure it sounded really idiotic, I couldn't help but once again say, "Yeah."

Three more servants came in then carrying a porcelain tub full of hot water, before a large, burly man grabbed me—still unclothed—and dumped me into the bath.

"Oi! What's this about?" I protested, blushing furiously when two of the servants began washing me. I even experienced minute mortification when Gaara's bed was stripped clean, the servants carrying away the linen to be washed. Another maid didn't quite succeed at suppressing a giggle as she played hide-and-seek with my garments.

"I was looking for Lord Gaara," the maid from earlier said, "but it seems he is elsewhere."

The warm water was extremely inviting, and as I reveled in the silky liquid, I suddenly missed Gaara very much. The ghostly feel of his caresses, his lips, his mouth was all over me, a not-so-distant memory. Finally, I was given a towel, and as I stood from the porcelain tub, the maid handed me a small stack of papers.

"Here," she said with a smile. "The Lord Kazekage did tell me to give this to you."

I accepted the papers, glancing only shortly at the top page before a sad smile crossed my face. "The Mission Report…"

"Yes. Lord Gaara said you would need it." Her head tilted a little to the side. "You must return home today?"

I tried my best not to look as depressed as I felt. "…Yes."

When she handed me my clothes, freshly washed and pressed, I marveled that she was truly gifted indeed. "Lord Gaara will be extremely busy today," she said, seeming to understand my pain. "But, if I see him, I'll tell him you asked for him."

Hugging my warm clothes to my chest, I grinned. "Thank you."

ooo

As I stood once again at the edge of the city gates, I smiled remembering the departure that seemed so long ago now. It was here that Gaara had held out his hand, looking at me with those tolerant eyes that I couldn't read. He had guided my hand into his, helping me to do what I found difficult to do. He was always helping me like that—gently guiding me where I found it challenging to tread.

Gaara…How could I not fall in love with you?

Packing away my Mission Report, I turned to gaze at the Land of Wind one last time. I nearly screamed like a girl when I abruptly saw Gaara standing there. Even fully clothed, he was still the Gaara I loved so much.

Despite all that, he faced me now with eyes that once again betrayed nothing. The poison finally gone from his system, his composure was sturdy and strong, and maybe a little forced.

"Well…I'm off," I declared, clasping my hands behind my head.

Gaara simply stared back at me, that bearing and manner almost a mirror-image of the last time.

"I think he's afraid that if he lets someone in, and they hurt him, he'll never recover. Protecting himself from other people…from you, while it may prove difficult, he can accomplish even this. I suppose what you need to do is break past that defense…You need to reach his heart."

"Thank you for the Mission Report," I added. I couldn't contain my surprise when he held out his hand to me.

"I know it was hard for you to say goodbye to Gaara before…But it tore him up inside to have to do it. Even so, he guided you to do the right thing. He truly cares for you, Naruto."

"Thank you," Gaara said, voice empty except for a small hint of partition. "Goodbye—"

When I took his hand, pulling him into my arms, he was surprised, but he didn't protest. He bowed his head so I couldn't see his face, so I kissed his forehead again over the kanji that spelled out exactly how I felt.

"I meant it," I said into his hair, my arms pulling him close. "I love you, Gaara."

We kissed one last time, a languid, measured, intoxicating kiss that would never be forgotten. None of it would be forgotten. My beating heart told me that I would always love Gaara, and as I waved to him before disappearing into the trees, I knew that there was still a small chasm between us, but with effort and diligence, I would soon be able to create a lasting link that would connect us eternally.

I knew this would not be goodbye forever.

o-o-o-o-o END o-o-o-o-o

"Oi, Kakashi-sensei!" I said, sweat literally pouring out of my body. Making it back to Konoha in one day had drained me of all energy. I needed food—a nice cup of ramen and a long nap.

Kakashi blinked at me with his one visible eye. "Naruto…Ah, hello."

"Here's your Mission Report," I said, tossing him the collection of papers.

Sakura seemed to appear out of nowhere. "Mission Report? Didn't we just turn that in to Tsunade-sama, Kakashi-sensei?"

"What?" I said, a little confused.

Kakashi scratched his chin before emitting a small chuckle. "Oh yes. Sorry, Naruto, it seems I had just misplaced the other one. Thank you, though." The smile in his eyes seemed to sparkle with naughtiness.

"…" I don't know why I didn't strike him down then with a kunai.

It's finally finished. That's probably the fastest I've ever had an entire fic up. Anyway, I do so hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. NaruGaa needs love, y'know? I really had planned to write a sequel, but after a LOT of of deliberation, I realized it would simply be impossible. I wrote this story a little over a year ago, and my thought processes are not fresh enough to go on from where this left off. Sorry if it's disappointing (I had originally said I would try and write it), but I can't, so I hope you enjoyed the story as it is. It leaves a lot open to possibility. The rest is up to you! Thanks so much for reading! Take care!

& Silentz