Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Between A Rock And A Hard Place ❯ Suffocation ( Chapter 26 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

For the first time since he met up with Naruto in the desert, Gaara felt out of place. Well he normally did, but this was the first time while Naruto was around. The blond would usually fill him with content, but as long as Sasuke was by his side, he couldn't bring himself to remain easy. It was obvious that whatever they were discussing over there was not a pleasing topic, sense Naruto held a look of remorse and sadness. He could only image what Sasuke was saying to him; insulting him perhaps or maybe even threatening him. But it didn't matter because Gaara knew he didn't like Sasuke talking to Naruto kindly or badly.

"I wonder what they could be saying?" Gaara flinched when he heard the voice behind him suddenly. When he turned with fierce sharpness, it had been Kabuto, a towel draped carelessly over his shoulder and a pair of shorts covering his lower half. Though Gaara had never met this person up to face before, he was already definite in his feelings; he didn't like Kabuto. Something about him just spoke evilly behind people's back. Kabuto just gave an amiable smile as he leaned against the walk, "could your eyes be any more of a dead give away?" Kabuto teased. "It bothers you knowing Sasuke will always be closer to Naruto than you...physically that is."

Gaara sneered viciously and jumped to his feet. He would see about that He intended to march straight over to Naruto, but Kabuto's disturbing laugh broke his focus. "Wow, does Naruto have you wrapped around that precious tan finger of his or what?" Kabuto barked out humorously. "You know what Gaara, I like you. You definitely deserve Naruto more than Mr. High and Mighty Uchiha over there, but it's a shame. Those two are rather comfortable when it comes to watching each other's backs." Kabuto informed, scratching the tip of his nose. "I mean just the other day I saw Sasuke carrying Naruto on his back and in his clothing no doubt. I suppose Naruto just finds Sasuke more of a man than you." Kabuto comment absentmindedly.

The redhead had no idea how pale and stiff he looked at the moment, so he only flustered more when Kabuto continued to laugh at him. This guy was lying! Naruto hated Sasuke, Gaara was so sure of that. And even if Sasuke wanted Naruto for himself, he at least trusted the Uchiha enough to never force himself onto Naruto, much less try to ignore the entire fact Naruto was taken. Instead of punching Kabuto in the face like he had felt like doing, Gaara stumped right out of the room. He didn't need this...he didn't need any doubts. He trusted Naruto with all his heart, however newly discovered it was.

Kabuto smirked widely as Gaara walked off. "Two down and one more to go. This is child's play." Kabuto mumbled to himself. "And if I'm lucky tonight, I might get a bonus from little Uzumaki." Without further destruction, Kabuto headed back for his room to wait for night.

Naruto quirked up a brow as he saw Gaara leaving. Knowing Kabuto, he probably insulted Gaara about the miss he was going to have to clean up. "Uh....I think I'm done." Naruto stated before rising up to leave. Sasuke's eyes narrowed and he grabbed Naruto by the wrist. He was no idiot, Naruto leaving right after Gaara did, was the most obvious meeting the two had ever set up.

"Don't be in such a rush dobe. I don't think you want to put back on that dirty yukata again anyway, so stay. By the way, where are you expecting Gaara to sleep tonight?" Sasuke asked. He got he only answer he had been dreading; in their room. "You really don't trust Kabuto in a room alone do you? He might run away?"

"Since when do you care Sasuke?" Naruto lashed back quickly. "Last time I checked, that was exactly what you wanted, why the sudden change? You don't expect Gaara to stay in their with a potential danger and a stranger by himself, do you?" The question was skeptical of Sasuke's expected answer, so Sasuke refused to answer with the truth.

"Well I most certainly won't want you saying there with him alone. And if you hadn't noticed, putting me and Gaara in the same room would just be stupid." Naruto rolled his eyes to the side and thought. But before he could list another option, Sasuke interjected." And don't think I will guard Kabuto all night while you and Gaara share a room." Naruto's mouth closed, for that wasn't even his suggestion. If he was suppose to meet Kabuto tonight, it would be bad to have Sasuke around. He was merely going to suggestion Sasuke stay in a room alone while him and Gaara watched over Kabuto, but that would still put them in danger.

"Then what 'do' you suggest we do Sasuke? You've already shot down the rest of our options."

A tiresome sigh came past Sasuke's lips, "damn. I guess we would have no other choice but to have me stay with Kabuto." Sasuke grunted angrily. But Naruto was just as unhappy as he was, because Sasuke might tell Kabuto to runaway on purpose and made it look like a fight went on to top him. But due to the circumstances, Naruto had no other choice but to trust Sasuke once more.

"I'm just over reacting." Gaara admitted with a sigh. He was foolish to even consider Kabuto's words for the truth, his interpretation of people were all wrong. Naruto would have at least told him that he liked Sasuke if that were the case, and Sasuke wouldn't bother to be sneaky when trying to win Naruto over. So he really had nothing to worry about, right?

Gaara let out a strained growl as he threw himself back on the mattress face first. If he worried about this too much he would grow gray hairs, and aging was something Gaara had found no comfort in. He laid there in relaxed silence, merely inhaling deeply of the scent of Naruto from the bed. Though it made him feel like an even bigger freak, Naruto's scent was always soothing to him, and even though some were mixed with Uchiha's filth, he had noticed Naruto's distinctive smell easily. In fact he had barely noticed the sound of the door opening because of the distance the smell provided.

"Gaara?" The redhead felt his cheeks burn suddenly when he heard Naruto's sweet voice, though filled with curiosity and a little bit of reluctance as if he knew he had walked in on something he shouldn't have. Gaara hurried pushed his face out of the mattress as he balanced his wait on his elbows. Then again, it would have been better to seclude himself back into the bed now that he was staring at a soaked, half naked blond standing before him. The milky white towel was the only thing keeping Gaara from getting a nosebleed he was grateful for it. "Do you feel sick? You're face is all flushed." Naruto asked. He walked over, sitting on the bed beside Gaara's partially laid form and pressed his hand to the other's forehead.

Pointing out his flustered nature only made matters worse in Gaara's opinion. "I-I'm fine..." He mumbled in response. His eyes rolled slowly to the side as he tried avoid staring at Naruto's bare, glistening chest. This was so embarrassing because he could just feel the burning in his cheeks and the slight tingly in the pit of his stomach. "Uh, so where is Sasuke?" Gaara asked, hoping it would avert his thoughts to something less...distractive. Thinking of Sasuke would surely make him anger enough to bring done the swelling...in both places.

Naruto stared blankly for a moment before bursting into a amiable smile. "Sasuke said he was going to stay with Kabuto tonight so he won't try anything funny." He explained. "Gah! Gaara, are you alright?!" Naruto exclaimed the very next second, seeing as how Gaara's face had drained of all color. He hoped the illness wasn't getting away worse.

Gaara moaned depressingly and slammed his head back into the pillow. This was great, absolutely freaking fantastic. Of course he was happy knowing he would be spending the night with Naruto and not with that Uchiha, but...he was spending a night alone with Naruto. And at his current position, he wasn't sure his body would be up to it, or in this case, would be too 'up' for it. He didn't like feeling this vulnerable to the feelings inside him, nor did he like the feeling of wanting something Naruto had obvious not wanted from the get go. They had been together for probably only a week, but whenever the subject of intimacy seemed to come up, it was just so uncomfortable and frustrating.

In the next instant, Gaara's eyes opened wide and he choked out a gasp against the muffling mattress. In the quick moment Naruto had thought he was sick, the blond had climbed onto his back, legs on either side of Gaara's waist and his hands rested soothingly on the other's shoulders. "N-Naruto...what are you doing?" Gaara gapped out nervously. Thoughts were flooding into his mind of how well he could feel Naruto's crotch just against his lower back as the blond sat on him. Luckily, Naruto had seemed to change into some shorts, provided by Sasuke no doubt, between the time Gaara was daydreaming.

"You just seemed tense, so I thought I would give you a massage..." Naruto explained innocently. Gaara felt the words at the tip of his tongue, 'he was stiff not tense'. Gaara groaned out when Naruto began the treatment, letting his hands tighten around his shoulders and run down slowly. "You shouldn't have come all the way out here Gaara..." Naruto spoke seriously. He squeezed and caressed Gaara's smooth skin. For someone who stayed in the desert all their life, he was surprised it wasn't coarse and rough. "I would have made it to Suna safely. And now everyone is probably worried sick about you not being there."

Jade eyes narrowed and a tight frown made it to Gaara's lips. It was jealousy that made him think for that very moment, Naruto didn't want him to be here because he wanted to be with Sasuke alone. But those weren't the thoughts that passed through his lips, "their concern doesn't matter to me. As long as you were worried, I had reason enough to come." Gaara confessed. "But that is besides the point. You left without any warning, so how was I to know you hadn't been kidnapped. Though I probably wouldn't have let you go anyway if you told me you were going to find this Kabuto guy alone, it would have been better than letting me think you ran away because of me."

Naruto came to a sudden halt, his fingers trembling with surprise and nervousness. "Why would I do that? You did nothing wrong to me?" Naruto explained. Gaara simply shrugged and Naruto went on with the massage. He dropped the subject quickly seeing as how it would only cause further confrontation. As Naruto rubbed his fingers along the slight dip in Gaara's back he heard a tiny moan, making him smile. "I didn't think I would be any good at this," Naruto laughed. "You're actually the first person I ever tried this on. So sorry I used you as my guinea pig." He laughed.

Gaara only muttered out a muffle curse. Naruto was a liar, he was to good at this. And if his words weren't enough evience, the buldge in his boxers should be proof enough. He truly wished he hadn't bothered getting dressed again. He imagined how great it would feel to have Naruto's bare body along his. He gasped out again as Naruto made his way back up. Shit! It literally felt so good that it hurt. With his arousal pressed roughly into the bed, it had no where to go as it harden and this was really proving to be a painful experience for Gaara. But he didn't want Naruto to stop...because he didn't know how he would get the burning to go down. There was no way in hell he was bold enough to ask Naruto to take care of the problem he caused and he hadn't been to favorable of the method Kankuro had told him about self-pleasuring. It just sounded absurd to Gaara if not entirely humiliating.

"What's wrong Gaara?" Naruto questioned, seemingly noticing Gaara's inner frustration. "Does it hurt now?" Naruto voice was laced with worry as he quickly stepped off of Gaara's back and sat down beside him. "Oh man, I knew I shouldn't have tried it. It probably only takes a while for the soreness to kick in! I'm sorry, but you should have told me it didn't feel go, it wouldn't hurt my feelings at all!" Naruto started ramble on in a panic, which was giving Gaara a serious head ach.

"It's none of that!" He quickly interjected. His voice had been so firm and sudden, Naruto had gapped in silence. His eyes fell on Gaara with such innocence as if asking 'then what is it?' Gaara grabbed a pillow and clapped it tightly over his head. "You didn't do anything wrong..." He hoped he could buy time long enough to bring down his arousal, but even thinking of Sasuke wasn't as effective he thought it would be. His face went red when Naruto kneeled down to lay beside him. Things only seemed to get worse for him, especially when Naruto wrapped one arm over his back and cuddled close to him. He supposed it was Naruto's way of saying it was okay about whatever the problem was.

Naruto couldn't help but smile sincerely. Gaara was just so thoughtful, even if he didn't mean to be. Despite Naruto not knowing the situation, he was just happy to have someone to trust right now. He liked Gaara, that much he was sure. And he even told Sasuke he loved Gaara, but that might have just been a desperate attempt to push Sasuke out of the picture and it seemed to be working. Naruto was suddenly drawn from his thoughts when Gaara whispered his name weakly. He stared up fully into Gaara's eyes, awaiting the question that was obviously on the other's mind.

"I'm nervous..." Gaara murmured, watching Naruto with fearful eyes. It worried him to see how quickly Naruto's smile had dropped and confusion set in, but he resumed. "About us, I mean." Gaara wasn't sure what expression had flashed across Naruto's eyes that very moment but he hoped it wasn't regret or rejection. "I love you, but...I don't get the feeling you love me as much as I love you." Those words had to be the single most thing Gaara wished he could have taken back because of the sudden hurt that was evident in Naruto's eyes. It was clear he had said something wrong when Naruto's arm pulled slowly away from his body and settled close to Naruto's chest and his eyes lowered.

"...What are you talking about Gaara?" Naruto asked reluctantly. For a moment Gaara could have sworn he heard sadness in the other's voice and fear. Naruto's heart was racing. It couldn't be true! It just couldn't be, he loved Gaara, he knew he did. But maybe being with Sasuke lately, had filled him with so many doubts Gaara had mistaken it for something else. That had to be it.

"I mean to say...I feel we are connected mentally, just not physically I guess." Gaara avoided looking Naruto in the eyes, much like the blond was doing now. "I get the feeling... you don't want me or that your afraid of something. And the more I try to deny it the more I can tell." Gaara felt his throat go dry and he knew that he was only bringing this up because of Kabuto. "But Naruto...please tell me. Is there any chance that you may have feelings for Sasuke?"

Naruto's eyes widened and he shot up, nearly falling off the bed when he sat up. "What?! No! What would make you think that?! I couldn't care less about that bastard! I love you Gaara, I'm telling the truth." His words would have been more believable if not for the tears that fled to his eyes the next moment. "I do want you Gaara, I really do!" Naruto cringed the next moment, kneeling forward as his head flew to cup his head. What was he saying?! What was he thinking?! Sasuke was always a jerk and he didn't care about him at all. He shouldn't care about him. He shouldn't tell Sasuke ruin this perfect thing he had with Gaara!

"Then why are you acting so offended?" Gaara asked. He sat up fully, his eyes watching Naruto hard and cold. Naruto would have no reason to over react if it wasn't true, he wouldn't feel the need to defend himself. "Just tell me the truth Naruto. Have you ever had feelings for Sasuke?" He had to know, even if it wouldn't effect how much he loved Naruto, he had to know. What was it about Sasuke that made Naruto so attached to him when Gaara had tried his very best to be the best for Naruto?

Naruto was crying hard and he pressed his head deeply into the blankets as he slouched over. "I don't know!" He yelled out. "I honestly don't know! I don't know who I love anymore..." He whimpered. "Everyone just seems to be against it, against us. I want us to be together but there is so much doubt. If we are together you could die, and I just don't want to lose you." Gaara stiffened, he didn't want the demons to be apart of the reason. They could look over that, couldn't they. "And I honestly thought I hated Sasuke before, but I'm not to sure now. He told me he loved me, even before you did. And I felt bad because...maybe there was a time when I wanted him to like me because I liked him." Naruto jerked his head back up, grabbing onto Gaara desperately. "But I'm with you now Gaara so that shouldn't matter, none it should matter!"

Gaara swallowed hard. That was a lie. It all mattered, to him at least. It would be hard for him to continue if he knew Naruto's love belonged to Sasuke too. Gaara hadn't realized it that moment, but he tore Naruto's arms away from him and rushed off the bed. The time he had spent racing for the door and through the main lobby had seemed like a blur to him. And he could faintly hear Naruto's sudden screaming when he left. But he couldn't go back...not just yet.

To Be Continued...

A/N: I feel sorry for these love sick puppies. Naruto is just confused, but Gaara can't accept that. But you can only imagine what Sasuke will do when he finds out Gaara walked out on Naruto. So look forward to the next chapter! You can obviously expect more SasuNaru action, and as I regret to admit, perhaps a lemon within the second chapter. Thanks for the awesome reviews! I love them and I really do care what you have to say.