If I Fall

Chapter 1

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"Hey, that's not safe if you leave it like that," the voice calling out to Sasuke could not have been more carefree if his instructor was supervising him from a massage table, but that was always the way Kakashi-sensei sounded. He knew that despite the tone, the words were serious, and despite the nervous energy that was spilling out of him in waves, making his fingers shake and his concentration wander, he saw the problem with the apparatus and fixed it as best he could. Dark eyes looked at the older man imploringly, and he made a great show of checking over Sasuke's work before waving a hand lazily and turning back to his book. "Fine, that's fine. Leave me all the work and go have fun."

"I'll be back in two weeks." Sasuke reminded him, jaw set firmly as he began gathering his things in a hurry, looking around for his keys in a state of slowly mounting alarm. "I know senior year is important, but that doesn't mean I should work all summer without a break."

"You don't try very hard to kiss up, considering I'm head of this department," Kakashi reminded him. "Even made me pay you, and I know you don't need the money."

"I had to or…never mind, it's more ethically sound, anyway, you can't just take advantage…" Sasuke let out a low snarl of frustration. "Where are my damn keys?"

"Oh…these ones?" Kakashi pulled them out of his pocket with an affected grin. On a normal day, Sasuke actually enjoyed his weird sense of humor, but today was important. He snatched the keys away so fast he nearly sliced Kakashi's hand open on the keychain. "Geez, and you want me to write you a letter of recommendation? I just don't know—"

Sasuke didn't hear the rest of whatever half-hearted speech his professor was launching into, because he was out the door, down the stairs, and out of the building so fast he nearly tripped over himself. His face was flushed with excitement as he started his car, and while he logically understood that he still had more than an hour, he paid traffic laws only passing notice on his way to the train station.

He had wanted to drive out to the location of the retreat this morning or earlier, but Naruto had said no. He knew that while his lover was used to having enough money to do things like that, he didn't like to flaunt it, and he didn't like to do anything that might seem like he was taking advantage of Sasuke, even if Sasuke himself insisted that was not the case, that he was more than happy to do these things. After all, part of the incentive would have been that he would have seen Naruto sooner.

It had been ages. They had been able to talk on the phone, but not often, as the retreat that Naruto was on with other specially selected rising photographers had been full of lectures, projects, and activities. By the time he did get to talk to Naruto, most often the other man was exhausted and would fall asleep mid-conversation unless Sasuke took pity and ended it after five minutes.

Since they'd met, their first year in college, this had been the longest they had gone without seeing each other. Worse than that was realizing that, as a photographer, Naruto would likely have work that required him to travel a lot. Sasuke wanted to be a professor, and they had discussed this already. They would live wherever Sasuke was getting his master's degree, and then wherever he was able to land a job, and Naruto would go where his work took him.

As the month-long retreat had grown closer and closer, Naruto had attempted to ease Sasuke's irritation and concern at the thought of being apart for so long by pointing out that once they were out of school and Naruto was working, they likely would experience these sort of separations more frequently.

"We'll be fine, you'll see. And it'll be practice for when I'm going on shoots everywhere and you're at home being surly."

They had laughed about it and talked about other things, but it was harder to laugh it off when he was alone, feeling every second as though it were hours long. What if something happened to Naruto? How would he know? What if there was an emergency and Sasuke couldn't get Naruto from the station, but he wasn't able to call him either? What if…what if being separated like this made Naruto see that he didn't really need Sasuke?

That was the one that terrified him the most, and even though they'd been together for over three years, he couldn't help wondering and worrying. He tried to tell himself that Naruto would run to him as soon as he got off the train. He reminded himself of the frequent calls, that even though he was exhausted, Naruto still just wanted to hear his voice before he fell asleep. But doubt lingered, and it would only go away if Naruto came back, and everything was fine.

He desperately wanted that to be the case.

Entering the train station, Sasuke saw that there was still nearly half an hour before the train Naruto was meant to be on arrived, so he bought a paper and sat down in the waiting area, judging at a glance where he would have the least likelihood of people attempting to talk to him. He didn't have patience for most people on a normal day, and today he doubted he would even be able to manage they icy quasi-politeness that usually marked any occasions where strangers attempted to strike up conversation with him. The newspaper was more of a shield from socialization than anything else, since he couldn't concentrate on the words long enough to actually read anything. Time seemed to drag on interminably as he glanced down at the paper and then back up at the clock over and over again.

He almost wished he'd brought someone from the house to talk to, just to distract him from this. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as waves of people would arrive and depart, and hoped desperately to be surprised, to look up and see sunshine-yellow hair framing a face he had come to know better than his own.

If I miss him so much now…even if it gets easier, will I ever be able to handle it? Is it even possible he missed me as much, too?

Surely if he had missed Sasuke, he would have asked him to drive out to the retreat, just to see him, even if they weren't supposed to have visitors during the program. It wasn't like this would be the first time they allowed their desire for each other to take precedent over the rules or expectations laid on them. Maybe he was having so much fun…or maybe because he was so worn out from all the activities.

Or maybe…he's happy to be away from me. To have time to himself.

Sasuke was clutching the edges of the paper so hard he ripped it a little bit. He took a deep breath, set it down, and went to the bathroom to splash water on his face. Looking at his face, splotchy with excitement and terror, he willed himself to calm down.

I don't want to look like this when Naruto sees me. I want to look perfect, so he doesn't have to doubt, so he knows this is where he belongs, so he always wants to come home to me, no matter how many times he has to leave.

His phone rang then, and he leapt into the air, pulling it out of his pocket and pressing the button to accept the call as soon as he saw who it was.

"Hey! I'm here." Naruto said by way of greeting, and Sasuke whirled to leave the bathroom, rushing back to the waiting area as he responded.

"Sorry, I just had to use the restroom." He didn't have to try hard to spot Naruto, with his bright head of hair and his orange luggage.

"You were just trying to lure me into public bathroom sex again, weren't you?" Naruto seemed to know which direction to look in, and though Sasuke didn't think his dark hair and neutrally colored outfit stood out sharply from the crowd, he put his phone away and rushed toward him at once. The look on his face washed away all of Sasuke's doubts and fears. Naruto had never been good at hiding his emotions, and this was no different. It was obvious that Naruto had missed him, and the happiness that suffused his being when he spotted Sasuke was so palpable it made the dark-haired man flush.

"God I missed you," Sasuke enveloped Naruto in his arms, holding him tightly and nuzzling his neck, breathing in the scent of his shampoo, and the more subtle scent that was just Naruto lying beneath that.

"Me too," Naruto sighed happily, and when they pulled back to kiss, it was like no time had passed, like nothing between them could change or would, just because of a month apart.

We can do this…we really can. Even if I miss him so bad it hurts, he feels the same way. And anyway, I shouldn't make him choose between photography and me. I want him to be happy, no matter what. Sasuke was utterly relieved, but he still wanted to get Naruto alone so he could welcome him back more properly.

"Let's go, the jet is waiting." Sasuke clasped his hand and hefted his luggage, heading for the door with Naruto at his side.

"Oh, but can't we go back to the house first? I wanted to see everyone." Naruto's eyes were wide and blue and irresistible. "And all my clothes are dirty."

"Well…okay." Sasuke capitulated at once. Clearly he had grown unused to Naruto making that face at him, and he was completely powerless to resist it. "Not everyone's back, yet."

"That's okay! I just want them to know I'm alive." He beamed happily as they climbed into Sasuke's car. "Plus, I really want to get back to our room, and the laundry could take a while."

"Oh…maybe I should call the pilot and tell him we'll be leaving tomorrow instead." Sasuke licked his lips hungrily as Naruto casually let his hand fall on Sasuke's leg. It should be illegal for something so simple to seem so sexy.

"No, we'll still get out tonight, you know how excited I am." Naruto squeezed his thigh, and the words took on another meaning. Sasuke thought he might crash the car if he couldn't concentrate on driving.

"Did…did you have fun at the conference?" he asked, trying to draw the conversation away from anything that might cause them to never reach the house so that he could deal with his sexual frustration more traditionally.

"Yeah, it was really cool." Naruto assured him, "But I missed you a lot. I kept wanting to call and beg you to come see me."

"You should have, I would have gone." Sasuke responded at once.

"Yeah, but what about your work in the lab? That's important, too. I didn't want to make you miss work because I was gone for a month. I know you don't need the money, but the experience is so important." Naruto told him sincerely, and Sasuke couldn't repress a smile from working its way onto his face. This was what it meant to be in love, and this was what he would always have, if he was lucky. When Naruto and him had first come together, he had always doubted things, had always expected the blonde to realize that he was too good for Sasuke and leave. It hadn't helped that he'd made mistake after mistake. But Naruto had made some mistakes too, and when he did, Sasuke realized that while it upset him, it didn't make him love the other man any less. That was when he really started to believe that this could last, that it wasn't being held together simply by Naruto's kindness and Sasuke's desperation. They loved each other, and it wasn't always easy, but it was always worth it.

Sometimes Sasuke still worried, as he had while Naruto was gone, that things between them might not be as rock-solid as he wanted to believe, but Naruto was quick to ease his fear without even realizing that Sasuke had felt afraid. At times, he wondered if Naruto would still love him when they were older, when his looks started to fade. He knew that was unlikely, considering that Naruto was not superficial at all, but he really had a hard time seeing what it was that Naruto saw in him. He was surly and unsociable, stubborn and demanding, he had a horrible history with relationships, and he had a penchant for alienating people. Naruto was nearly the opposite, and Sasuke still believed that without Naruto, he would not currently be living in a house with so many people he considered friends. He also knew that if something happened to end their relationship, he would be the one expected to leave, and he doubted that anyone would attempt to comfort him, while Naruto would be surrounded in friends who loved and supported him.

I guess I should just try my best not to fuck up. Although…after losing Naruto, I don't know if I would care so much about being snubbed by our friends.

When they pulled up to the house, he sighed heavily as he spotted a steady trail of his friends moving boxes out to Hinata's van. He had really hoped that this would either already be over, or that it wouldn't start until after they left. This was definitely going to cut in on his alone time.

"What's going on?" Naruto asked him in alarm. "Did something happen? Is Hinata moving?"

"Ah…yes, she's moving in with Suteru." Sasuke shrugged slightly and Naruto scowled at him. He knew he should feel guilty, but he honestly just thought he looked cute when he was angry.

"And you didn't tell me!" Naruto's brow was furrowed, his mouth twisted and his blue eyes were sparking with indignation. "Sasuke! How could you not tell me! How come no one told me?"

"It's no big deal, she'll still be nearby." Sasuke told him. "It's not like she's moving across the country, and she said she'd visit. She didn't want anyone making a big deal of it."

"Then why is she moving?" Naruto left the car, looking at the procession in an injured fashion. "Doesn't she like it with us?"

"Yes…well, I don't know, maybe she's sick of living with her ex?" Sasuke speculated idly, coming around the car to pat Naruto on the back. "Gotta be awkward trying to have sex while you can hear your old boyfriend across the hall having sex with his new—"

"Sasuke! That's so mean!" Naruto shook his head disconsolately. "I'll just ask her, if you're going to be like that. Hinata!" he called out to the girl, who had just left the house, her arms clutching a box carefully, her face lighting up to see her friend.

"Naruto! You have returned!" she smiled brightly at him. "I'm so happy to see you! We were going to have a sending off party for me, and we were going to wait until Sasuke and you returned from your trip, but I am very happy to see you already!"

"Hinata! No one said you were moving!" Naruto told her, his voice thick with accusation. "What happened? Did Kiba and you get in a fight? Or you and Temari? Or Neji and Kiba? Or Kiba and Suteru? Or—"

"No, no, there was no fighting, Naruto." She flushed prettily and shifted the box in her arms. "I just wanted…well, Suteru and I would like very much to start a family. I would like to have many children, and I wanted to start as soon as possible, so since it is my last year in school, I thought it might be good to start…start trying."

"You mean…you mean you guys are going to have a kid?" Naruto's face split into joyous surprise. "Oh wow! That's so awesome! Like Ino and Shikamaru…except on purpose, and you guys are already married, but you know…totally awesome! Wow, is it going to be a boy or a girl? Do you know?"

"Naruto, I am not yet pregnant," Hinata managed to speak, though her face looked in danger of combusting. "I just meant that we wanted to…to…"

"Oh I see, so you guys are gonna…oh, okay!" Naruto smiled brightly, grabbing the box from her and leading her to the van. "Well, that's still so awesome! I love kids."

"I've noticed." She giggled.

"Naruto! Welcome back!" Sakura, who had just dropped off a box, paused for a kiss on the cheek as she headed for another trip. Sasuke stood by his car watching in vague annoyance, tainted with the pleasure he felt at seeing Naruto so happy with his friends.

"Hey Sakura!" he nodded so he wouldn't drop the box and turned to Hinata as they reached the van. "But still, you could do that here! We already have Aki, your kid could play with her, and you'd have an army of babysitters."

"I know, and I do appreciate living here, but I think…I think to be honest that Suteru does not like me living with Kiba. I think he is very good about it, and he will not say straight out that he would rather I live with him, but I have come to…well, I honestly feel for him…" she flushed again, taking the time as Chouji came by and greeted Naruto to gather herself. When he moved back to the house, she took a deep breath. "I never thought I could love again, but I do…it is not the same, it will never be the same, but I think that I should show him that I mean this, and I will still be close, so we will see each other. I hope you aren't upset with me."

"No, it's fine, I just…well, I was surprised." He laughed and hugged her. "Why didn't you say you were thinking of moving out?"

"I didn't want you to get upset or leave your special conference. I knew you would think there was fighting." She gave him a slow smile. "You know, there can be other reasons for moving."

"Eheh, guess I'm used to drama." He admitted. "But still, I feel so out of the loop! Did anything else crazy happen while I was gone? Sasuke didn't tell me anything like that was going on."

"The usual, really." She demurred.

"Ah, complete mayhem." He nodded sharply.

"Basically." She smiled again and turned back to the house as Sasuke, tired of sharing Naruto's attention, left his car to stand beside his lover.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me." He grumbled, but he was smiling, and Sasuke knew he wasn't mad. Sasuke shrugged and gave him a small, apologetic grin, and let his arm wrap around Naruto's waist, ushering him inside.

"I told you it's not a big deal." He repeated. "And she didn't want you worrying."

"Oh wait, let me grab my bag! I want to wash my clothes." Naruto turned and Sasuke pulled him back, kissing him just for the sake of the kiss, because he had been unable to for what seemed like so long now, and he couldn't resist indulging.

"I'll do that, you go say hello to everyone." He breathed as they pulled apart only slightly, letting their breath mingle and reminding Sasuke that Naruto had wanted to see their room before they left for the airport. That was a thinly veiled innuendo if ever he'd heard one.

"Aw, so sweet." Naruto teased, but he had a pleased flush to his cheeks as he went inside, leaving Sasuke to go back for the bag. He didn't really mind the stopover, especially if it meant he'd get Naruto alone sooner, and not have to deal with the other man worrying about their friends. He just wanted to be with Naruto, it didn't matter where they were.

He walked in and felt himself freeze momentarily, before he took a calming breath and cleared his throat to break up the scene in front of him. He knew that Gaara loved Neji, and he knew they were happy and he had no reason to think that Gaara would try to steal Naruto from him. He had discussed this with Naruto, with Neji, and with Gaara, but he still did not like to see Naruto and Gaara embracing like long lost lovers in the front foyer. Naruto flushed and stepped away, coughing nervously, and Gaara crossed his arms, looking extremely hostile, in Sasuke's clearly unbiased opinion. Behind them, he could see Neji coming down the stairs, holding a box and looking rather unfazed by the tableau presented.

"Sorry…we just—" Naruto began, but Sasuke shook his head sharply.

"No, it's fine, I know, I know." Still, he turned away so he didn't have to see them kiss briefly, heading down the stairs and sighing with relief when he heard Naruto behind him, coming to help, and probably to reassure him for the umpteenth time about the Gaara Situation.

"I know it's weird, I'm sorry, but I can't just ignore him." Naruto told him as they started unpacking clothes. Sasuke was trying to sort them, but Naruto was just tossing everything he found straight into the washer.

Mental Note: Keep Naruto away from my laundry.

"No…I mean, we've talked about it enough." Sasuke sighed heavily, handing Naruto the detergent absently. "I know…I mean, I trust you."

"But you don't trust him." Naruto finished. "Sasuke, don't you think Gaara understands the boundaries? He loves Neji, he wouldn't want to hurt him."

"But he loves you, too." Sasuke frowned. "And you…you…"

"Sasuke, it isn't the same as with you, and it never will be." Naruto repeated. "I wouldn't…since sophomore year, we haven't ever done anything serious, and we won't! I just…I like being close to him, and we care about each other. You don't ever get upset when I kiss Sakura, and I had a massive crush on her. And I love her, too."

"I don't know, I guess…well, she's a girl." Sasuke felt foolish as soon as the words left his mouth.

"Look, if you want me to treat Gaara the way I treat my other friends, just say it." Naruto turned toward him, blue eyes glistening with concern. "You said it didn't bother you, and you said that it was fine, but if it's not—"

"It just surprised me, is all." Sasuke admitted. "I was walking in, I wasn't expecting to see you two…"

"We missed each other." Naruto shrugged. "I didn't think…I mean, I don't want this to be a battle, and I don't want you to stew about it and be sullen for the next two weeks. Just tell me what you want, and I'll do it. I love Gaara, but it isn't nearly the same as the way I love you."

Sasuke blinked at Naruto and licked his lips. This wasn't the first time this had come up. Ever since he had told Naruto during their junior year that he didn't want Naruto to have to tiptoe around him, that he was fine with the hugs and the mostly-chaste kisses, and even with the two of them lying together the way they did so frequently when one of them was upset, Naruto had revisited the subject countless times. He couldn't understand why Sasuke would allow these shows of affection now, after when they were separated and Gaara and he had slept together. Neji had come around even earlier, which was a bit more surprising, since he had walked in on them. Gaara had explained to Naruto that Neji understood him, and understood his feelings for both Neji and Naruto as separate, but important, but Naruto had a hard time seeing how either Sasuke or Neji could be okay with it. It wasn't like they were making out or doing anything sexual, but Naruto didn't think he would be okay with Sasuke and Neji snuggling or really having anything like the sort of free and easy affection that Naruto and Gaara shared. But then again, Sasuke had explained to him that he didn't love Neji, and that while they had forged an uneasy friendship over the years, they would likely not associate with each other at all if it weren't for the sake of Naruto and Gaara.

"I can't make you give him up." Sasuke finally answered. "I can't help the knee-jerk reaction, but I don't honestly want you to have to ignore him any more than I would want you to have to ignore all our friends."

Sometimes, when he was at his most selfish and insecure, he was tempted to tell Naruto that he had to stop being so openly affectionate with Gaara. Sometimes, he was even jealous of the relationship Naruto had with Sakura, or Hinata, or anyone in the house. He had felt surges of jealousy seeing Naruto wrestle Kiba, seeing him make cookies with Chouji, seeing him coddle Aki. He was a jealous person, and he had come to accept that. He had also come to learn to control it, and to recognize it as irrational at times, and to see that no matter what doubts his mind screamed at him, he could always trust Naruto.

But with Gaara…it was different. Naruto had never seen it as different before they had sex, but as Sasuke had reminded him time and again, if he was allowed to make all the mistakes he personally had made, he couldn't hold that one thing against Naruto. He had initially been very paranoid and uneasy about the situation, but when he had told Naruto that he was okay with it, he had meant it. He wouldn't have said it if it weren't true. This was one subject where he felt that Neji understood him better than Naruto ever would. Many mornings they had sat together in companionable silence, knowing their lovers were in the other room, limbs tangled as they slept in the same bed.

"I love you," Naruto leaned in, and Sasuke felt a surge of passion. The same fire that fuelled his jealousies also overwhelmed him in moments like this, and this time he let it burn. Pushing Naruto back against the washing machine, he kissed him fiercely, his hands itching to touch bare skin, and it wasn't long before he had Naruto's pants around his ankles, his arms braced against the machine as he eased into him, shuddering at the intensity of pleasure after going without for so long.

"I love you," Sasuke breathed, hot tears springing to his eyes as he tried to contain the overwhelming surge of emotion and failed. He tried to take it slow, but his body took over, and it didn't last long for either of them. Naruto chuckled as they looked around for something to wipe up the evidence, his legs wobbling slightly and his cheeks red, drunk on emotion.

"Temari would be so pissed." He finally settled for using one of his dirty shirts, tossing it in with the rest of the laundry as they zipped up their pants and turned to go back upstairs.

"If she doesn't want us to do it in the rest of the house, she…well, she shouldn't let us in the house." Sasuke finished lamely, and Naruto burst out laughing.

"You boys knock that off right now!" the sound of Temari yelling made both of them blanch as they reached the top of the stairs, but then they saw Kankurou and Kiba running past with two boxes apiece stacked precariously. "It's not a race! Kiba! Dammit! If you break something—"

"Uh-oh, she's gonna cut you off!" Kankurou laughed uproariously from outside, since they had left the front door wide open.

"Shut up, dumbass!" Kiba smacked him in the back of the head as they came back into the house, having finished their impromptu competition. "You're just pissed you lost."

"Your both going to get your asses kicked if you can't help like normal human beings!" Temari snarled, and then blinked in surprise at the stationary couple standing on the sidelines. "Oh…Naruto, you're back! I thought Sasuke and you were flying out as soon as he picked you up."

"I wanted to stop by and say hi to everyone," Naruto shrugged. "Clean some laundry, you know, drop off some stuff."

"That's nice!" Temari smiled, ignoring Kiba and Kankurou, who were now racing up the stairs and trying to trip each other now that Temari wasn't scolding them. "It's so good to see you!" she walked over and hugged Naruto affectionately. Not only did she personally like him, she thought he was very good for Gaara to spend time with. Sometimes, she secretly wished Gaara had chosen to date Naruto instead, and let Neji and Sasuke have each other. But Neji was fine. Mostly.

"So who else is here? Is Aki around?" he asked excitedly.

"No, Shikamaru and Ino are here, but Ino's parents wanted to take Aki for a trip to the country for a week or so. Give them 'private time,' you know." Temari snorted. "I'm pretty sure they're gunning for another baby, and then I think Ino's mom is going to try and just steal one and see if Ino notices."

"Oh man! That would actually be awesome, though." Naruto told her, his eyes wide. "I mean, not the baby-stealing, just if they had another kid. Did Hinata tell you that Suteru and her want to have a bunch of kids? That's so cool! When are you and Kiba going to have kids?"

"I…I don't…we…I…" Temari went deep red and lost the ability to speak before tottering back upstairs.

"I think that means they haven't talked about it yet." Sasuke escorted his lover upstairs. "You're such a busybody."

"When you say busybody, you sound like a sixty year old lady." Naruto scrunched his face up in what Sasuke guessed must be an imitation of an elderly woman. "That no-good Naruto…such a busybody! And his friends…a bunch of ruffians!" He dropped the face, laughing at his own humor before turning back to Sasuke. "Oh, say ruffians! Say it!"

"I'm not going to indulge you." Sasuke did his best to look annoyed, even though Naruto had looked rather ridiculous doing his 'impression.'

"Shikamaru! Put that down!" Ino was standing in the hallway calling toward her room when Sasuke and Naruto reached the top of the stairs. "Go start packing!"

"What!?" Naruto yelped as Shikamaru left Hinata's room, looking vaguely annoyed as Gaara walked past with a box bound for the van. "You guys aren't moving too, are you?"

"No!" Ino assured him. "But Temari said that since Hinata's moving out, we could use her room as a nursery for Aki."

"Why do you guys need a second room if you already have the biggest room in the house?" Sasuke asked, annoyed.

"Because, they're trying to have another kid!" Naruto reminded him, Ino laughed sharply, and Shikamaru went an interesting shade of grey. "Wait, are you not? Maybe that was a joke."

"Yes, idiot!" Temari's voice called from inside Hinata's room, and she came out, not carrying a box, but ushering past a rather contrite looking Kiba, who was now carefully walking with just one box. "Of course it was a joke!"

"Well, one day, maybe." Ino shrugged, not seeming that bothered by the idea.

"Am I the only one who remembers the nightmarish things that happened the first time?" Shikamaru pointed out, his tone haunted.

"Oh, don't blame yourself." Ino smiled graciously at him. "I'm sure you'll do much better this time."

"Are you—"

"Dude, just don't say it." Naruto cut in suddenly. "Whatever you were going to say. Just don't."

"Okay." Shikamaru shrugged, considering the outcome of whatever conversation he had been about to launch and nodding slightly.

"Why aren't you two helping at all?" Temari asked them, and Ino looked aghast. "Don't even try that, you're not pregnant anymore, you can do chores like everyone else."

"But we have to move Aki's things!" Ino told her.

"You'll have nowhere to put them, in a room full of Hinata's things." Temari pointed out as Neji went past with a box. Temari glanced in the room, saw Kankurou bending to pick up a stack of three boxes, and stomped sharply, causing him to freeze. "Don't. Even. Try it."

"Fine, mom." Kankurou grumbled, going past with one box. "No fun ever."

"You aren't moving any boxes." Ino pointed out.

"Have you noticed how much supervision Kankurou requires? That's what I'm doing." She explained. Temari blinked and looked around. "Hey…where's Chouji? I haven't seen him for probably twenty minutes."

"Probably another snack break." Sakura shrugged as she went past.

"Hey, where's Sai?" Naruto asked, realizing who he hadn't seen yet. "And Shino and Tenten?"

"Sai's out getting dinner." Sakura called over her shoulder as she went down the stairs.

"Shino and Tenten are at Tenten's house still. They're supposed to be back soon, but Tenten didn't say for sure." Temari answered the rest of the question.

"Well, I'd like to at least see Sai before I leave. Sasuke, we should help them and have dinner, and then we can go." He suggested to his lover. "I have to finish my laundry, anyway.

"Fine." Sasuke hated manual labor.

"Good, boxes for everyone, you all help." Temari went into the room and they saw Hinata inside, packing up the last of her things, several closed boxes around her. "Ino, Naruto, you take these." She indicated a pair of boxes and the blondes complied, Naruto much more cheerfully than Ino. Sasuke glared at Temari. Not only did he have to help, he had to be separated from Naruto. The world was completely unjust.

"So, you guys are going to that place Sasuke has in France, right?" Ino asked Naruto as they headed down the stairs, and Naruto nodded enthusiastically.

"It's so awesome! It's really big, too." Naruto told her. "And it's right by the beach! It would be great if you guys could all come out there with us some time. It has a pool and a hot tub and just a bunch of bedrooms, and everything is like really fancy and nice, and I'm always afraid to touch anything."

"Wow, I'd love to come see it." Ino smiled brightly as they reached the van. "It sounds really beautiful."

"Yeah, Sasuke told me it was part of his mom's dowry." Naruto giggled at that. "Dowry! I still think that's the funniest thing, people still have freaking dowries. Oh man, and there's this chef that comes out whenever we're visiting and makes all the food, and there's a housekeeper and a groundskeeper guy, and the gardens are crazy!"

"We'll have to come out, definitely." Ino assured him.

"Yeah! I bet Sasuke wouldn't mind, and it would be so cool for all of us to be there." Naruto's smile widened as they passed Sasuke, who was looking extremely surly and holding a box. Shikamaru was just inside, sitting at the base of the stairs with a box near his feet.

"Oh my god, Shikamaru, can't you even carry one box out there?" Ino chided him, as if she had not also been shirking five minutes ago. "You are the laziest man ever. I'm surprised I ever got pregnant."

"Hey, I'm not lazy when—oh, hey Naruto." Shikamaru affected a look of indifference. "How's it going?"

"Fine," Naruto tried not to laugh at Shikamaru's attempt to pretend he hadn't been offended by Ino's comment. "Ready for school to start?"

"Eh," Shikamaru shrugged lazily. "At least we're almost done."

"Um, some people are almost done. What happened to getting a doctorate? What happened to becoming a professor? That takes time and dedication! Don't get lazy now, or you can stay home with Aki while I go to medical school."

"We could just let your parents keep her." Shikamaru let a long pause cut into his suggestion. "For a few years." He finished, just as Ino's face went purple.

"You don't care about anything! Not even your own daughter!" Ino stormed upstairs, and there was the sound of a door slamming shortly after she disappeared.

"Oh man, maybe she really is pregnant again." Naruto suggested as Sasuke, back from delivering the box to the van, came to stand beside him. "She was like this last time."

"Nah, she just doesn't want to have to move shit." Shikamaru yawned and leaned back on the stairs. "Not that I blame her."

"You really are pretty lazy." Naruto pointed out as Sasuke snagged his waist to usher him back upstairs. "You think he'll just sit there until the moving is done?"

"Probably." Sasuke slowed him as they reached the top of the stairs, and he peered down the hall, but there was no one outside, until a moment later when Chouji, who had apparently been located, walked past with a box. "Okay, hurry, before she comes back."

"What? Who do you—" Naruto began, but Sasuke clapped a hand to his mouth and pulled him past Hinata's open door to the end of the hall, wrenching their own door open and all but shoving Naruto in before him. He pulled the door closed carefully and let out a sigh of relief.

"Finally." He pushed Naruto toward the bed, unbuttoning his pants.

"But…Sasuke, we should help!" Naruto protested rather half-heartedly, letting himself fall down onto the familiar mattress. "And we just had sex a while ago."

"Yeah, well I liked it so much, I thought I'd try it again." Sasuke climbed on him and covered Naruto's mouth with his own.

Naruto thought of arguing, but by the time he'd seriously considered the pros and cons, he was mostly naked, so he decided it would be best to stay where he was, for now.

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To be Continued…