Bwahahahaha, this has nothing to do with what actually happens after their little spat, but the whole time I was yelling at my computer screed "Gaara, go save Naruto T.T" So, I decided to make him . Exceedingly changed and completely broken off from the storyline… oh how I wish Azureas worked better for me, then I would be able to see farther than 150… -sobs about the inhumanity- I have butchered Naruto and completely murdered Gaara. I'm so sorry –apologizes to fans for infinity- I completely suck at keeping people in character.


"You must understand, I'm not doing this for you."

"I know."

"Then why?"

"Because."

"If this is about before…"

"It's not."

"I don't understand."

"I promised someone back home that I'd bring you back, so that's what I'm going to do. If you don't kill me here, I'll follow you forever."

"Hmph, die then.


"Naruto, Naruto, please Naruto, open your eyes, Naruto!

A woman was screaming, strong arms were holding him, carrying him. All was darkness, all was pain.

"C'mon Naruto, wake up." It was Gaara's voice coming from above him. The voice was gentle and soothing, like sand at the beach on a warm day. "Sakura's here Naruto, she's waiting for you to wake up."

"Sak…kura" Naruto croaked out weakly "Sakura, I'm sor…sorry I pro…omised." He opened his eyes as he said this, but still his world was dark.

"Naruto!" Sakura sobbed in pure relief and collapsed to the ground. Lee held her close as she rocked herself chanting 'he's alive'. He had been the only one holding her back from attacking them both when Gaara walked through the village gates carrying a half-dead Naruto.

"I'm sorry" Lee told Gaara, indicating that he should continue on.

"Lee?" Naruto questioned the voice he heard.

"Yes Naruto?"

"The others…"

Lee looked down, but Naruto couldn't see this. "Shikamaru, Kiba, and Akamaru are all fine but the others…. Chouji and Neji… Tsunade doesn't know, it's still too early.

"Neji said... that I have better eyes than him. That I saved him from darkness, and that I could save Sasuke too but… I failed everyone. Neji, Sakura, Sasuke… I failed them. These eyes are useless now."

"No Naruto," Gaara's voice interrupted him, "you did not fail. You were only delayed for a while. Light saves all you touch, your heart is strong."

"Gaara…"

"You saved me, too." Gaara whispered in his ear.

Naruto smiled through his pain. It would be the last smile Gaara would see from the boy for a long time.


When Naruto finally woke up, his world was still dark. There were voices, from the way they were muffled, it sounded like they were coming through the door.

"-nade-sama said the physical injuries are gone, everything's in his head now and we can't touch that."

"How long?"

"She doesn't know, it all depends on him. It could take years."

"Gaara" Naruto whimpered softly. He was scared, alone, and blind. The door opened, then closed. Footsteps, two sets, getting closer.

"I'm here, Naruto."

"Gaara I can't see you."

"I'm right by your side." Naruto felt Gaara's hand on his own, reassuring and calming him.

"Tsunade-sama said that he could be released as soon as he woke up."

"But…"

"It's alright Naruto, I can take you home."

The whispers were still there, he could hear them, but they were different now. All he heard as Gaara led him out of what he was sure was the hospital was 'oh that poor child' and 'that damn Uchiha, doing this to our own Naruto.' All Naruto could think was if this was what it took to be recognized, if this was the way he got the acknowledgement he wished for so badly, the love he had been deprived of for so long, then he didn't want it. Not like this.

"Gaara"

"Yes?"

"They're whispering again."

"It'll be alright Naruto, soon you won't be able to hear them."

Gaara was right. As soon as they entered his apartment, the whispers stopped. Silenced with the closing of the door. He definitely wouldn't be going out there for a while.

"Gaara, don't leave me."

"I won't."


Alright, first chapter's up, what'd you think? I have 2 chapters of this written out, so I'll post it as soon as I get enough reviews -wink-