Alright everyone! Yay. I got more reviews. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Thanks to the following people –

IEatChiken. You're really helping me a lot. Thanks for you input!

Mink Shindo. You are helping me too. And yes, I know my first chapter is long. But that's because it's ALL I wrote from the beginning of school until now. Hehe. I get bored, I write.

Blancjacc. You have really good suggestions and I thank you for them.

Finally, Vana. Thanks for being SO um, enthusiastic and almost demanding about me releasing more chapters. I can't write when I'm asleep now can I? But I'll put another one out as soon as I can! Promise.

A note Blancjacc thought I should have put into my story last was that their money they use is called Ryo. If you didn't know. Sooo…Now you know.

Now, on with the story!

A moment in time. Stopped still.

They stood there, just staring at each other for an immeasurable amount of time it seemed. Was it half an hour? Or just a few seconds? A warm breeze drifted into the kitchen through the window. It blew their hair very softly. That red mane rippled like bloody water. Naruto blinked and when he opened his eyes again Gaara was gone. Blinking again, very slowly this time, he looked around and almost jumped when he heard a low voice coming from behind him.

"Naruto, why do you stare at me as if I'm a piece of fresh meat? As if you long for me. It's unsettling and annoying."

"I... Um. Gaara…." Naruto was at a loss for words. "I'm sorry.." Was all he could think of to say.

The blonde heard a growl come from behind, still not daring to turn around. He shivered, the primal sound making him feel slightly uncomfortable. Naruto closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down. Gaara could really get to him sometimes.

"Not good enough Naruto… That's not good enough. I want to know why. Why Naruto? Why do you play this little game of cat and mouse with me?" Gaara said, his voice dripping with malice. "If you really want to play a game, we can. I call it hide and seek. You hide…and I find you… What do you say?"

Naruto swallowed, his throat suddenly becoming dry. He kept trying to wet his mouth, but it just wouldn't happen. "W-what happens if you find me?"

"Well I'll just keep that a secret. But here's a clue, it won't be pretty."

"Oh… Alright. Well I um, I don't really want to play Gaara… Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm wonderful. Just wonderful Naruto." The red head said quietly, pressing his chest against Naruto's back. His breath fanning across the taller man's shoulder. Gaara noticed that Naruto faintly smelled of crushed leaves and wet earth. It was nice, kind of. Such a smooth texture too. His skin was so warm… Even in the hottest of the day Naruto's skin was warm and soothing. "Some people never dare to get this close, but you do. You live with me. In my house. Aren't you afraid I'll lose control? I could kill you so easily. Apparently not." Gaara said, answering his own question. Quicker than he moved before Gaara was gone and Naruto was left standing there, shocked by what just happened. Mouth open and eyes wide as he took a step forward. He has to sit shakily in a chair at the table to keep from falling over.

I really was close to having him hurt me… Maybe I should watch it. Gaara seems to get losing the grip on his control. That's it. I should just let him be for a while.

Naruto sat there until the sun set and the moon rose. He was confused, afraid, and most of all worried. His friend was losing it apparently. And there was nothing he could do.

Outside of Suna, once again Gaara was out taking a walk. He always has to get away when he's like this, or he could destroy the entire place. The Kazekage was lying in the sand, staring up at the sky. Sand slithering continuously over his body like snakes. Caressing him, holding him.

Oh Mother… It seems although you're the only one that loves me anymore… What ever shall I do?

"The stars shine as if there's something good to shine for. I can't understand. Night after night they're the same. Shiny and bright as ever. What good does it do for them to be happy little dots? Why can't they be dull and hurt like me?..." The boy with ruddy hair felt like there was a hole in his chest and through his body. The dull ache, the pain. He wasn't supposed to feel this anymore. He thought it was all blocked out. Slowly Gaara got onto his knees, staring up at the sky still. He felt like he was going to cry. He could almost be certain he was going to.

I'm losing control again. I can't let this go. Why can't I let this pain go?...

Gaara closed his eyes tight in discomfort. "No matter what I do…The tears won't come…" And a horrible, broken cry came from his throat, ringing through the desert. Breaking the silence of the night.

Naruto was back in his room. Lying down while staring up at the dark ceiling. He winced as a horrible sound reached his ears. It sounded like a wounded animal.

"How horrible, for a creature to be put through such things."

The leaf ninja whispered a wish for the creature and tried giving himself over to sleep. It wasn't working to well, so he just laid there. Waiting for the sun to rise.

Okay. So, I think I'm done. This was all I could think of really. I've been having a few crappy days. Anyhow. Review please people. They always make me happy. If you have ANY suggestions for further chapters please tell me.

-Roxel-