Chapter 1
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Konoha City Train Station
Gaara stepped off the train platform and looked around at the thick crowds of people that swarmed the area. All at once claustrophobia settled into itself across his shoulders.
"This is the city." The red head murmured to himself, as he pulled his luggage behind him. The sun cast shiny blinding reflections off of the doors going inside the station, and behind him another bullet train was pulling in beside the one he just got out of. 'Its more than i thought it would be.' Gaara decided as he made his way through security and past the gates and into the actually city. He opted for a ride that took him closer to the heart of the city. It cost more but it was closer to where he was meeting up with a family friend.
Since graduating college, Gaara had yet to have any luck finding a job. Jobs seemed to want people with experience- meaning no one new got any experience. Gaara had been reaching the end of his rope when his father called him about a family friend that would be willing to help. Within a week the redhead had packed his bags, and got out of lease and was heading for Konoha City.
The redhead, now finally out of the station pulled out his phone and tapped on Shikamaru's contact. The sound of ringing filled his ear.
"Yeah?" Came a low but bored voice.
"Hello, its Gaara. I just arrived here in the city."
"Huh, oh Gaara! Good. Listen, I need you to pick some stuff from the store for me can you?"
"I-" the redhead started to speak before Shikamaru continued.
"Good. I will email you the list and the address where we are meeting up." The phone line disconnected and Gaara stared at it for a minute before an email notification for Shikamaru came up. The redhead clenched his jaw but set about finding the nearest supermarket to grab all of the stuff.
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Lean and Green Supermarket
It was awkward, standing in the vegetable aisle trying to find the specific lettuce that was demanded from him, lugging around his luggage. Gaara didn't have a car, even if he did it wouldn't have made it overseas with him, and the downtown area that he was in parking looked overpriced and hard to come by. 'The City is terrible.' Gaara decided, after finally having found everything on the list. The sun was already disappearing behind the tall skyscrapers and buildings, forcing the streetlights to start to hum as the flickered on. Gum, or what Gaara decided was probably something similar seemed stuck to the sidewalk and as hard as stone. Empty fast food drinks rolled by down the street only to squished by a passing car. The very air seemed thicker and more disgusting and Gaara felt relieved as the more disgusting aspects of the city seemed to die down a bit as he walked further into the high end district.
'I don't see any houses.' Gaara thought eyeing the buildings surrounding him and the address he had been given. 'Perhaps it's just a little further.' He decided as he kept walking, before finally stopping at his destination. 'This has to be wrong.' He thought double checking the address. The redhead was standing outside of a posh sports bar. Nara Sports and Drink the sign abound the door read.
"Hey, you going in or what?" A loud voice asked from behind him and Gaara moved aside for the brown hair man.
"Pardon me."
"You didn't answer my question." The guy said with a frown. It made the tattoos running down his cheeks crease.
"I have not decided. I am searching for a man by the name of Shikamaru Nara."
"Oh, Shika." The guy said relaxing. "Your in the right place come on in."
Reluctantly, Gaara following the still relatively unknown man inside. "Shika owns this place." The guy said with a laugh, before going up to the counter. "Hey, Shika! Someone's here to see ya!" He yelled loudly towards the kitchen, banging on the counter. Embarrassment at the outlandish behavior at once flooded Gaara, and the redhead was glad that the bar was mostly empty.
"Huh?" Came the muffled reply before a black haired slacker guy poked his head around the corner. "Who are you again?" He asked, tilting his head and looking bored as he eyes Gaara.
"I am Gaara Subaku." The redhead stated, and recognition flashed in other eyes.
"Ah! Gaara of course. Its been awhile I didn't recognize you. You got a tattoo?"
"Yes." Gaara stated with a nod. It had been a stupid thing he had done the one time he had gotten truly and completely plastered. The symbol translating to love in his mother tongue, tattooed on his forehead. It was partially covered by his hair anyway, so Gaara didn't mind it all that much. He grew to take pride in the mark.
"Wait, this is Gaara?" The still unnamed guy from the door asked.
"Yep. Family friend. Anyway, Gaara you said you were looking for a job right?"
"Correct."
"Look, I can help. Pull a few strings and what not but uh- first I need a favor from you." Gaara felt something twist in his gut. 'This does not sound good.' He thought. 'Shikamaru is supposed to be a president of an up and coming tech company. This guy looks like a slob. Now he needs a favor? On top of having me pick up his groceries?' Gaara feel more unease filter through before the TV behind them pulled his attention away. There, on the 34 inch screen, was Shikamaru dressed in a suit doing an interview about some his future plans for his company.
"You look better on TV." The guy beside him said with a laugh, and Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
"Well Kiba, This place is one of my hobbies. I'm not going to dress up for a hobby." Then his gaze shifted back to Gaara. "So, groceries and a favor?" He asked, and reluctantly Gaara nodded. Shikamaru smiles. "Good, I have a few people I'd like you to meet. They should be here in few minutes." Gaara set the groceries on the table and blinked. 'People for me to meet? As in, interviews right off the bat?' Stress knotted itself up as Gaara glanced down at his clothes. 'I am not dressed for interviews. If I had known I would have made more of an effort. I should not have assumed.' Gaara thought mildly ticked off, though it was directed more towards Shikamaru than at his favorite grey pants and long muted red trench.
Just then, the door swung open and few more people walked in. The first one, a rather large guy with hair all over the place seemed to Thunder his way across the room as he yelled, "Shikamaru! Its good to see you, Ah- is that food I smell?"
"Chouji, no food until everyone's here." Shikamaru responded with a yawn. 'Judging by how they greet Shikamaru I take it these are the people that are interviewing me?' Gaara thought as he straightened his spine. 'Is it a group interview over dinner?' He wondered as the second man calmly walked his way over and sat down at the table next to everyone, shrugging out of his suit jacket as he sat. "Sasuke, you want a burger or some tomato soup?" Shikamaru asked, the guy -Sasuke- just shrugged as he slung his jack over the back of the chair.
"Soup is fine." He replied.
"I want the soup too." The third man added, sitting across from Sasuke.
"Lee, hows the Law firm working out?" Sasuke asked, and Gaara was left feeling ignored. 'This is not a new thing.' The redhead thought, waiting unhappily for Shikamaru to get things together. It was only five minutes later, when a blonde burst through the door that Shikamaru even paid any attention to Gaara again, seeming more focused on food and his conversation with Chouji.
"Sorry I'm late guys! I had some stuff to take care off." The blonde said with a grin as he sat down at the table with Sasuke, Lee, Kiba and Chouji.
"Naruto, I made some ramen." Shikamaru said, as he sat down with the others and the blonde gave a loud laugh as he was given the bowl. Gaara stood standing quietly off to the side.
"Hey Shika, whos That?" Naruto asked, pointing at the redhead with his chopsticks.
"Gaara, come introduce yourself." Shikamaru called over his shoulder and Gaara stood up carefully.
"I am Gaara Subaku, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Nice to meet ya too. I'm Naruto!" The blonde said around a mouthful of ramen.
"I'm Lee." Came the reply of bowl cut guy wearing too much green. The others followed suit, introducing each themselves as the ate.
"So Gaara What did you go to school for?" Sasuke asked.
"Architecture and design." The redhead replied.
"Nice. How do you feel about tea?" Chouji chimed in.
"Depends on how it's made." Gaara stated.
"I need someone who can support me, and is fairly organized- can you do that?"
"Do you enjoy art or comedy?"
"Where do you see yourself in three years?"
"Any skill with sewing?"
"Do you have an experience with acting? Theater or otherwise?"
"How is your balance and work out routine?"
"What do you consider to be your biggest strength?"
"Are you allergic to anything?"
"Are you willing to travel or relocate?"
"What college did you attend?"
"Why-"
"Guys!" Naruto yelled, making everyone go quiet. "Your aren't even giving him a chance to respond." The blonde huffed.
"Sorry." Kiba said.
"Your the person who is going to be helping one of us?" Sasuke asked, "Not what I was expecting.
"What?" Gaara said, confused and slightly overwhelmed at the sudden increase and then decrease in questions directed at him.
"Shikamaru, did you not explain anything?" Sasuke said, turning to frown at the man.
"Troublesome." The slacker mumbled, before turning to look at Gaara. "Earlier I said I need a favor right? Well the favor is you pick one of these idiots to help out and then I help you get a job."
"Help them?" Gaara said, still mildly lost with the entire situation. "Was this not some sort of interview?"
"What? No, these are some of my friends. Look, something happened and they need some help. Unfortunately it's nothing I can help with. So since I said I would help you find a job, you do me a favor and help them out instead. If not..." Shikamaru frowned. "I dont help with the job. Also Gaara, just have a little faith okay? It's nothing super wrong or illegal. I wouldn't do that to you." Gaara glanced at the guys and weighed his options. 'I do need a job, and if it's only a favor then it shouldn't be a huge issue. It would be similar to networking.'
"Very well." Gaara replied, "who am I helping?"
"Just pick one." The redhead instantly felt all of their eyes on him and he swallowed.
"I choose Naruto." Gaara stated as he recalled how the blonde managed to get everyone to shut up and stop asking questions.
"Ha! Obvious choice!" Naruto said with a grin.
"Damn, i wanted him to help me out." Kiba groaned as he held up his hands to the sky in defeat. "Well congrats Naruto."
"Drinks anyone?" Shikamaru offered and the group quickly descended into lively and good natured alcohol induced laughter. With everyone so happy they had began to talk about ridiculous plans for birthdays and Gaara learned Naruto was a year and a half older than he was. However they were all thoroughly distracted, so the redhead simply allowed himself to blend into the background. Gaara had never been one for the spotlight. It wasn't until later, when Gaara finally stood to move his luggage into backroom that their attention was once again back on him.
"Hey don't do that". Naruto said, pulling the bags away and back over to where he was sitting.
"What are you doing?" Gaara stated, grabbing the bags and staring at the blonde. Naruto flushed.
"I uh- I'm moving your stuff. Its better here. Cuz of the favor I mean- it's- yeah." Naruto mumbled. 'I do not know what he is talking about.' Gaara thought with a shake of his head.
"What do you need me to help with?" Gaara asked, and just like that everyone got quiet.
"It's- well its nothing super a lot just need you to help is all."
"How do I know I can assist you if I am not aware what you need from me?" Gaara insisted.
"Don't just stand there dobe, Tell him." Sasuke muttered.
"Yeah Yeah okay- here the thing." Naruto said before taking a deep breath. "Gaara I want you to be my husband."