Summary: What if Naruto & Gaara met at age 5? What would it be like during the chuunin exams when they met up again? How would it affect their friendship? Find the answers here!

A/N: This is my second fanfiction, it is a WIP and an AU. Don't like, don't read. Also, I have yet to complete this story, so updates on it may be sporadic.


Chapter 1 - They Arrive

A five year old with unruly blonde hair walked in the desert, now unsure of whether it was a good idea to accompany the leader of his village on this trek, as he (his companion, not the young boy himself) was to take part in a meeting featured within Sunagakure. He edged himself to the front of the group to talk to a certain someone.

"Are we there yet, old man?" asked Naruto, drinking more water from his canteen.

"In short time young one, in short time," spoke the Hokage, Sarutobi, "and do stop drinking so much water, you're going to finish it soon." However, Naruto couldn't help drinking so much water, they were in the desert after all.

Naruto sighed as he started to remember how he got pulled into his current situation.

(Begin Flashback)

Naruto was at the Hokage tower about to attempt to kill him (as we know, this would not be the last attempt a child would have on the man's life) when he heard his target talking to someone. "But Lord Hokage, you must come! This meeting is to declare our peace, and many do not believe we can push the date of this meeting further back than it already has been," someone whom Naruto did not know spoke first.

A deep sigh came forth before a more familar voice responded, "Very well, I will come."

"Oh, thank you, my lord! I am positive the Kazekage will be very pleased to hear this." Naruto put his ear to the door, listening to the conservation, when it burst open causing him to fall in. As he got up, he saw a shocked looked on a ninja's face.

"So, this is the demon the villagers have been talking about." A look of fear contorted on Naruto's face, for is encounters with the people whom dubbed him 'demon' often enough did not go too well.

"No, this is no a demon, just a young prankster," informed the Hokage.

"None the less, it seems he has been eavesdropping. I take it that punishment will be given, so I shall take my leave now," the foreign nin then vanished in a puff of smoke.

"That was a ninja from Suna, right? So…you're going to Suna?" asked Naruto in a quite clever way to distract Sarutobi from the aforementioned punishment.

"Yes, some urgent business came up," Sarutobi said. A sudden thought struck Naruto, 'Wait, who's going to stop the villagers from burning down my house again!? Who's going to keep them from killing me when I'm asleep!?' Naruto pondered this in silent panic for a while until he came to the conclusion: He wanted to go -- no, he had to go.

"Hey, old man?" Easily grabbing the Hokage's attention he continued, "Can I come with you?" asked Naruto. The Hokage was shocked that Naruto wanted to come, but he too thought about the things that the villagers would do.

"Very well, Naruto, you may come," the Hokage said with a smirk on his face. Naruto was clearly excited, especially that they were leaving right away.

(End Flashback)

"Oh yeah, that's why," Naruto said aloud. But as he finished his remembrance of the past, he saw the gates of the village, Sunagakure. "Hey! We're here! We're finally here!" Naruto said, pointing at the gates.

"Yes, we are Naruto, yes we are," Sarutobi smiled at the child's excitement. With that, they entered the village.


A/N: Well, there we have it. Reviews would be very much appreciated as well as constructive criticism. Flames are used for making smores...Mm smores... -starts to drool like Homer Simpson-

6/16/2008 - Originally posted.
10/12/2008 – Slight revisions have been made, just to get the small errors that I spotted having re-read this.