AN: Nope, still don't own Naruto. Thanks for the reviews! I have been inspired to continue this story.
Slowly, Gaara, slipped off of the cushioned bar stool. He adjusted the strap on his duffel bag and said, in a low voice, "Thanks for the food." He jammed his soggy money back into his pocket and headed for the door. His eyes skittered to the clock, estimating the time before sundown. If he was lucky, he could find a corner in an alley somewhere, and curl up to keep watch on his dreams.
"Hey wait a minute!" Gaara heard the blond call after him. He hesitated, then pushed open the door and stepped outside. Squinting in the bright afternoon, Gaara looked left and right, hoping to pick a path to walk.
"I said 'WAIT!'" Naruto yelled. He stumbled outside after the red-haired man, and grabbed his shoulder, spinning him around. "Where are you going? My apartment is this way," he said, pointing to a metal staircase bolted in the side of the diner.
"I appreciate the offer, Naruto," Gaara said softly, "but I can't accept it."
"Why not?" Confused, Naruto scrunched up his face.
Gaara jammed his hands in his pockets and frowned. "You don't know me. You don't know anything about me. I could murder you in your sleep," he threatened.
Naruto grinned. "Well, if I wake up dead, Iruka will know who to look for."
Astonishment rearranged Gaara's features. How could this man be so trusting? "How can you be so trusting?"
The blond shrugged and said, "Let's up. Up here." He reached out and grabbed the slightly smaller man's wrist, and pulled him along. "It's not much, but.."
If Naruto considered he small, 2 bedroom apartment to be not much, Gaara considered it a palace. Mostly empty, there was a sagging couch pushed into one corner. A laptop computer was set up on the floor next to it. The kitchen was so small, one almost had to go outside to change their mind. 3 closed doors, Gaara assumed, led to the 2 bedrooms and the bathroom.
"Home sweet home!" Naruto announced. He kicked off his shoes at the door, gesturing to Gaara to do the same. Gaara drank in the sight, and inhaled deeply. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to stay here for a night or two. Maybe.
"Right, Gaara?" Naruto waved his hand in the other man's face. "Earth to Gaara!"
Gaara blinked. "I'm sorry. What?"
"Never mind. Anyway, this is your room," the blond said, opening the door to a completely empty room. "I've got some extra blankets and stuff, if you don't mind sleeping on the floor."
"That's fine," Gaara said. "May I use the shower?"
"Hey, this is your home too, you know! You don't have to ask. You've got a toothbrush and everything in there? Or do you need..?"
"I've got one."
"Good. Feel free to use the soap or shampoo or whatever. I'll wait for you out here." With that, Naruto wandered over to the couch and sat down.
Gaara stared at the man in disbelief, then turned toward the bathroom.
Standing under the hot water, Gaara came to sudden conclusion. Naruto, whatever his game was, was just like everyone else, in the end. Gaara swiped at his eyes and laughed at close he had come to being bamboozled by the apparent innocence of the blond. Picking up his underwear from the shower floor, he rinsed the soap from the dark material, and wrung the excess water from the shorts. Throwing these over the edge of the glass door to dry, he made quick work of scrubbing his own body clean. Shutting off the water, he pushed the clear door open and stepped onto the orange mat.
Moving toward the mirror, he wiped it clean from steam and peered at his haunted face. His eyeliner had smudged a bit, but was still mostly in place.
"Thank goodness for waterproof," he told his reflection. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Gaara?" Naruto called. "You okay in there?"
"Almost done," he answered.
After brushing his teeth quickly, he used his discarded shirt to wipe the remaining water from his body and hair. Bracing himself for what he knew was coming, he opened the door, and stepped into the living to face the blond.
