This a story I wrote on impulse. Yeah, a computer and good music will do that to ya. Anyway, without much else, here ya go.

999blee999 My Heart's a Battleground

Glare. Glare. Glare. that was all Gaara seemed to do. He didn't have much to say to anyone, unless he was about to kill them. But even then it was little more than growls and threats he was about to fulfill. Naruto had noticed this when he had first encountered the red-head. And his hair really was red. Not orange, red. It was oddly attractive. Something about him had caused Kyuubi to stir. Naruto thought back to the conversation he had had with the demon.

---

"There's something about him Kyuubi. I can't place it."

Hmph. You're rather dense.

"That's not nice. But what is it? I feel a...connection."

You two have more in common than you think. He is also the carrier of a demon. Another tortured soul, like you.

"You call yourself a torturer."

I am a demon and am proud of it. But that's not my point. I can see past his hatred. He is just like you. No parents, feared and hated by all who meet him. But instead of trying to get everyone's attention like you did, he kept to himself, becoming more and more introverted with every passing day.

"You seem to know a lot."

I'm a demon, I have powers, Kit. You need to help him. I sense unease in him and deep distrust.

"I'll try."

---

Then he remembered his conversations with Gaara.

"Who are you?"

"Uzumaki Naruto! Aka the Nine Tailed Kyuubi!"

Gaara started as the Raccoon demon responded to his words.

"K-kyuubi?"

"That's right! We have a lot in common!"

"NO! WE DON'T!"

Naruto had been startled by Gaara's outburst. His normally goofy face was fearful and full of confusion. He stepped back. Gaara glared at him.

"You and I have NOTHING in common! NOTHING!" Then he had left, leaving Naruto confused.

---

Gaara punched the wall. He didn't know why the stupid Kyuubi had approached him like that. And then dared to say that they were the same?! They would never be the same. NEVER.

He punched the wall again, wincing as the skin on his knuckles split open. Why were these memories suddenly returning to him? He turned and sank down to the floor, his back pressed into the wall. Then he did something he hadn't done in years.

He cried.

He had finally found someone who cared, who wanted to help, and he had turned him away. He beat the floor, kicked a nearby table, and screamed in agony. Memories were flooding into his mind, many of them had something to do with Naruto. He stood, and flung a lamp at the door. It shattered into hundreds of glass shards. He tore the curtains down and ripped them to shreds. He smashed the table and tore the pillows open.

Kankuro and Temari had heard the smashing of Gaara's lamp and gone running up the stairs to see what the problem was. Kankuro flung the door open to find Gaara in a full fledged rage, screaming, breaking things and most shockingly, crying.

"Damn You Kyuubi! Damn you! Why did you have to steal my heart? Why? When I tried so hard to keep it locked away?"

Kankuro ran to him, to try to keep him from doing himself bodily harm. Before he could get there, Gaara had snatched a knife from the floor and plunged it into his arm. He drew it down his arm in a jagged line crying harder as the pain hit. Kankuro tackled him to the floor and snatched away the knife. Gaara threw him aside and dashed out of the door, throwing Temari aside as well.

"GAARA! GAARA! COME BACK!!"

Gaara ignored their shouts and began sprinting as fast as he could. He didn't know his way around the Hidden Leaf Village, but kept running. he finally collapsed in the woods near a river. He dug his nails into the roots of a tree and sobbed. He didn't know how long he'd been there, but he soon noticed there was someone standing behind him. He sat up and whirled around to find himself face to face with Naruto.

"What do you want?" he snarled, not bothering to wipe away his tears.

"You're crying." said Naruto softly.

"You're damn right I'm crying!" He pushed himself further under the tree and curled into a ball.

Naruto walked over and sat down. Gaara could hear the sound of ripping fabric and felt his arm being moved. He winced slightly as Naruto tightly bandaged it, but said nothing.

"Gaara-"

"Don't talk to me."

"No Gaara."

Gaara started and looked up into the Kyuubi's face. Naruto was looking right at him, a mixture of compassion and concern on his face.

"I will talk to you. I don't care if you don't listen, but I'm going to say it anyway. Gaara, I-I-I care about you. A lot."

Gaara stared, dumbstruck. Words failed him. He couldn't even move.

"I-I can't stop thinking about you. When I realized how similar we were, I felt like my life had a bit more meaning to it. I didn't want to give up anymore."

Gaara could feel tears welling up in his eyes again. He broke into sobs again.

"I-I like you t-too, N-naruto." he stammered between sobs.

Naruto pulled him into an embrace. He bent down slightly, and kissed Gaara's forehead. Gaara tilted his head up and kissed him gently on the lips. Naruto deeped it. When they broke apart, Gaara found comfort in his arms. And something he had never felt before.

Love.

He fell alseep that way and Naruto stroked his soft hair. At dawn, Temari and Kankuro came across them. The two sat in a tree not far from Naruto and Gaara. Naruto saw the them and closed one eye. He gave them a reassuring smile. Kankuro grinned right back and stood.

Take care of our little brother. he mouthed to Naruto.

Naruto saluted and nodded.

I will. I promise.

999blee999

Well? Your comments?