Hrm, I thought this story would be longer and then I realized... I can't really drag it out any further. Sorry to keep everyone waiting so long for this chapter. And thank you everyone for all the wonderful reviews and encouragement! And for not freaking out when I took so long to update...
tsusami/tasukigirl

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Sweltering 08
Good-byes

Naruto felt like his heart was in a vice. Two metal bands seemed to clamp down, constricting everything in his chest with each press of Gaara's insistent mouth. He gripped the other man's arm so tight the sand began to ripple. Naruto forced himself to let go but Gaara's hand grabbed his and squeezed tightly.

He growled deep in his throat, something raw and animalistic, until the sand settled. Startled, Naruto allowed himself to be pushed against the table, edges biting sharply into the back of his thighs and gasped as a mouth latched onto his neck. He tipped his chin back and Gaara's body was there, wedging between his knees as he shifted onto the wobbling table. Naruto brought his mouth down and the Kazekage gasped into an open mouth kiss while Naruto's legs gripped his hips and pulled him closer. The table groaned as the Kazekage leaned against him, Naruto's elbows pressing into the hard surface, easing them down slowly. Gaara crawled up his body, sending wooden legs shaking and while common sense said to get away from such unstable ground, Naruto's hands clasped the clothed back of the man on top of him, aiding his ascent.

Their mouths and tongues tangled, Gaara's hands pressing against his chest, his arm, trying to find purchase. Naruto squirmed as Gaara shifted over him, one leg clumsily slipping to the other side of his thigh. Their groans rose simultaneously. Gaara pulled away, burying his nose into Naruto's neck, lips caressing his pulse.

He held his torso still, shifting his hips ever so carefully before forcing himself to pause once more. Naruto wiggled against him and Gaara lifted his head, mouth open wide in a silent cry, his eyes clenched tight against the pleasure.

"Naruto," Gaara moaned and the shinobi's heart clenched. He bit his lip and tried to shut out this feeling, concentrating on the warmth creeping along his skin and the burn of lust spreading through his belly.

Naruto reached with one hand to cup the back of Gaara's neck, lifting himself with the other elbow to bring their mouths together again. Gaara's hips shifted much more violently as their mouths clashed, his body once more moving frenetically, impatiently, the table swaying too slow to match their rhythm.

Naruto's fingers bunched the fabric in his hands. He slid his hands down as far as he could reach, holding the Kazekage away from him slightly. "I think we have an audience," he said, trying to clear the haze from his mind to concentrate long enough to check on the chakra signals wavering like faded beacons. He smiled at the thought of them forcing certain shinobi to lose control over masking their presence. The Kazekage's mouth covered his before he could say another word, one hand pushing his shirt up his chest.

"Then let them watch," he growled, attacking Naruto's chest with tongue and teeth. Naruto arched his back sharply, pressing his chest against Gaara's mouth. His nails raked the surface of the table, twisting his torso into the teeth nipping tender skin. Gaara's hips were pressed against his and not moving, too focused on the very careful swirl of his tongue around a distended nipple. Naruto wiggled and when this received no response, his hands gripped Gaara's hips firmly, rolling his hips up to grind against his out of reach partner. Gaara's moan was a wash of hot breath against his sensitive nub. Naruto raised his hips again and this time Gaara bit down none too gently. Naruto careened from the tremors shooting down his spine.

Gaara shifted, raising himself on all fours while his mouth trailed kisses down Naruto's torso. He began to descend slowly, nuzzling his way down with his nose. Naruto tossed his head back as warm breath shifted over the hem of his short, groaning when his skull collided audibly with the table. "What are you," Naruto started. He tossed his head back again, biting his lip when Gaara's nose reached his waistline. His felt himself twitch under the barrage of humid breath, resisting the urge to raise his hips.

"I'm giving them something to watch," Gaara said and Naruto shuddered. His hands reached for his lover and grasped air. Gaara slid beyond his reach, turning his back and tugging his pants down. He allowed the dark fabric to slip to his ankles.

Naruto swallowed, mind hazy with lust as he drank in the curves of milky skin rippling over lean muscle. Gaara looked over his shoulder, one brow raised quizzically. He stepped beyond the doorway and into the bedroom.

-

Gaara pushed the curtain just enough to view the pink light on the horizon. The sleepy street was silent save the occasional chirp of an early bird just audible over Naruto's soft snores. His guards were still out there, he was certain of it. They were most likely watching him now, he thought, throwing the curtain shut. He took a slow breath and turned to face the sleeping figure sprawled across the mattress. A blanket wrapped around one leg and over a tan belly. Gaara watched the slow rise of his lover's chest with a heavy heart. He hadn't slept a wink.

He crossed the bedroom slowly, his legs heavy with exhaustion. His muscles protested with each step, sore from a long night and the kyuubi container's ridiculous stamina. Gaara smiled as he slid onto the bed, brushing the spiky blond hair away from closed eyes.

He should leave, he told himself. Now, while his lover still slept. It would be so much easier that way, he thought.

A dull burn started from his chest, rising to his throat. He pressed his fingers against the warm cheeks, shifting until he was curled up on his side, close enough to feel Naruto's warmth. He should leave now, before he lost his courage. He turned his head and breathed the scent of his lover- of the two of them mingled together. How long could he hold onto this memory before it grew dim?

I should leave, he told himself, lifting one hand and tracing the path his lips had taken not hours before.

-

Naruto woke with a start. He paused when he recognized his favorite movie posted tacked up on the wall, remembering where he was. He looked around, but the room was quiet, everything in its place or almost. The sheets were wrapped around his legs, his pajamas missing and his bed partner too.

Naruto untangled himself, breathing deeply while he tried to shake himself out of his grogginess. He swung his legs over the edge, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms. He glanced at the clock, closed his eyes again and covered his hands with his face.

Pushing himself up he grabbed fresh clothes on put them on. The bedroom door was left ajar and Naruto opened it carefully, glancing around the quiet apartment.

His clothes were still strewn across the kitchen floor. He noticed Gaara's clothes were missing and a few things had been tidied. The table was empty save a single wooden box placed in the center. Naruto approached carefully, fingers brushing the delicately carved pattern running along the edge. He had seen this motif before- the geometric lines locking together the way they did on the Kazekage's gourd.

He lifted the lid and paused, his body tense and ready to react. When nothing exploded, he moved his hand, setting the lid down on the table. His finger brushed the contents inside, plucking an orange rose petal and lifting it into the air.

Naruto frowned and looked away. He bit his lip when his chest began to ache, wiping his eye hastily with the back of his hand. He wiped his nose on his sleeve.

-

Hyuuga's face was bare as he stood outside the Hokage's door. He lowered his eyes when Naruto approached a faint blush dusting his pale cheeks. Naruto snorted, not waiting to be announced before pushing his way in. Tsunade sat at her desk sipping from a mug while Shizune briefed her. Both women paused, startled faces looking up simultaneously.

Tsunade snorted into her cup.

"I didn't expect you so early." She took a long draught from her cup, putting it down roughly. "Frankly, the way you two were going at it, I'm surprised to see you up before noon."

"He's still here?" Naruto asked. He hated the excitement in his voice. Tsunade tilted her head and gave him a sideways look.

"The Kazekage returned to his suite early this morning and has been preparing for the journey home. His guards insist on him resting a little before setting out." Naruto relaxed his fists. "I presume you have an answer for me?"

Naruto nodded. He steeled his face, when Tsunade arched one eyebrow. Shizune looked away uncomfortably.

"The Kazekage and I reached a mutual agreement last night." Naruto forced his face to go blank. He kept his chin up and his gaze even.

"So that's it huh? I suppose there's always Kakashi..." Tsunade pushed her tea cup aside.

Naruto continued staring over the top of her head. "We decided it was best to put an end to our relationship." Tsunade glanced up in surprise. "My loyalty lies with Konoha and with my Hokage," Naruto said, hazarding a peek at Tsunade.

Her face had softened into a frown. She lowered her eyes, gripping the top of her tea cup with one hand. She pressed her lips together and lifted her face to smile at Shizune. "Get me some more tea?" she asked, lifting the cup. Shizune worried her lip, glancing from Naruto to her Hokage. She nodded her head, shifting her papers to one arm and grabbed the tea cup with the other. She hurried across the room, giving a brief nod as she passed him. Naruto returned the hasty greeting.

Tsunade was silent, returning her attention to Naruto as soon as the door clicked shut.

"Explain yourself," she said, folding her arms over her ample bosom. "I had three guards blushing through their report this morning and two unwilling to tell me more than the fact that the Kazekage was with you last night. When a visiting dignitary leaves a bunshin in his room while the real one is in one of my shinobi's bedrooms, it doesn't take long before the tongues are wagging!"

"We've said our good-byes," Naruto said flatly. He resisted the urge to place his hand against his pocket or to touch the small box nestled inside.

Tsunade looked at him expectantly. She sighed when he didn't respond, placing a hand to her forehead. "Are you sure about that?" Her face steeled itself into a cold hard look. The kind he hadn't seen since the battlefield.

Naruto averted his eyes. "You gave me a choice and I've made it." He swallowed the angry comment threatening to erupt. Tsunade was quiet. He felt her eyes boring into him, waiting for the protests or the tantrums she was so accustomed to. "Will that be all, Hokage-sama?" he asked. She flinched under his tone.

She paused and her face scrunched with something to say. She stopped, closed her mouth and waved him away. "That will be all," she said somberly, looking down at her desk and picking up a document pushed off to the side of her desk. She held it up, erecting a small barrier between them. Naruto gave a deep bow despite the fact that she wouldn't see it. He straightened, turned on his heel and marched neatly out of her office.

"Excuse me for having intruded," he said politely, and carefully shut the door. "Hyuuga," he nodded, as he passed. He ignored the guilty look and walked briskly down the hall.

He was careful not to look back as he descended the long spiraling staircase. He slowed his gait as he emerged from Hokage's wing, looking up at the tall staircase leading to the diplomat's quarters. He stopped completely, twiddling his thumbs and mentally searching for the shadows he knew were tailing him. He stepped forward and quickened his pace as he exited the building. Turning a sharp corner, he pressed himself against the wall. He would have to thank Yamato for the useful lessons in camouflage, he thought, watching as his bunshin continued down the street. When the familiar orange jacket disappeared just beyond the colorful buildings, two swift moving shadows moved after him.

-

Gaara stared at the neat piles of items lined up in the small bag. Nothing else was left, he realized, rearranging them unnecessarily.

"Kazekage-sama, if I may be so bold, you should eat something before we begin." His guard held up a tray of food no doubt grown cold. Gaara shook his head. The sick feeling in his stomach would not benefit from a cold meal. His guard's face fell and he lowered the tray, placing it on the desk. "Should you change your mind..." he said. Gaara nodded and thanked him for his help. He zipped up the traveling case in his hand, placing it on the bed next to the kimono. He turned to gather up the last of his items and paused, awareness prickling in the back of his mind. He turned to his guard who carefully pulled out each drawer, checking for any forgotten items.

"Could you give me a moment?" Gaara asked. His guard closed the drawer and looked up. "I'd like a moment to myself," he glanced at the untouched tray of food for good measure. His guard smiled and nodded.

"Of course, Kazekage-sama." He bowed and quickly exited the room. Gaara locked the door after him.

He let out a relieved sigh before turning, rushing over to the window. He threw the latch, sliding the glass open.

His breath caught in throat. "What are you doing here?" he whispered. A familiar grin peered round from the ledge.

Naruto pressed a finger to his lips. He climbed in through the window and quickly turned to shut it after him. Gaara stepped back as Naruto wheeled on him, his heart racing as the shinobi grinned, one hand reaching for his own. Gaara shook his head and Naruto pulled their bodies together, his lips shushing him with a kiss.

"You forgot something," he mouthed, one hand letting go to pull something from his pocket. A familiar box materialized, and Naruto set it down soundlessly on the bed.

Gaara tried to step back, confused when Naruto looked down at him angrily. Naruto's hands were on him before he could respond, manhandling him against the wall. Naruto kissed him hard enough to bruise, while two hands were quick to move to his belt. Even in his exhaustion, Gaara's body was quick to respond. He deepened their kiss, while his own fingers joined the struggle against his clothes.

"But we decided," he whispered, sighing when Naruto's mouth nipped his ear. The first layer between them came undone.

"I have informed my Hokage of our decision. There is no relationship between us." Gaara's heart began pounding when he realized what Naruto was suggesting. He lifted one knee, shaking off one leg of his pants. His lover wrapped his hand around the bare limb, pulling it against his thigh.

"They'll watch us," he said, biting back a gasp when Naruto pressed against him, proving his body was just as quick to respond.

"Right now they're following a bunshin to my apartment. An obnoxious, broken-hearted version of myself." Gaara buried his face in Naruto's shoulder, biting his lip to stifle the moans threatening to erupt if his lover didn't stop wiggling his hips just so.

"But the rules... your duty..." Gaara's words cut off with a gasp- a quick inhalation of breath when Naruto's fingers traced a familiar trajectory.

"When I'm Hokage, I'll make the rules." Gaara was only too aware of his guard just outside the door, of Naruto's hands touching him in ways his body was learning to crave.

Just one more time, he thought.

"You're talking insubordination," he warned, raising his hips in invitation. Naruto smirked against his ear, his breath humid in a way that reminded Gaara of summer.

"They'll have to catch us first."