I do not own Naruto.

Before he was even born, he had a sand spirit named Shukaku put inside his body. Causing his mother to die when she was giving birth to him. So even before he was out of the womb he had killed someone.

He grew up spoiled, getting whatever he desired.

This caused him to think that getting what he wanted was love. When he got older, and it became obvious to his father that he would never be in complete control of the sand spirit, he began sending assassins in an attempt to destroy his own son, therefore destroying the creature within him.

This included Gaara's uncle, who had taken care of the young boy, and convinced Gaara that he loved him. This uncle soon showed his trued purpose, and attempted to kill Gaara. In defeat he had blown himself up, in a final attempt to destroy his youngest nephew.

Gaara's sand shielded him from the explosion, however, saving him from facing the same death as his uncle.

When the smoke had cleared, and the sand had gone back to its dormant state, a sad, hurt and angry Gaara was left behind. He knew at that moment that nobody had really ever loved him, and thought that nobody ever would. He decided then that he would love only himself. He would never put himself in the position to be emotionally hurt by someone again.

He made the sand put the kanji for love on his forehead, letting everyone that saw him know that he held love only for himself. Which he had, until a few years ago when he met Naruto in the chunin exams.

His fight with Naruto had caused him to reconsider his life, and his decision to kill people to make himself feel alive. After losing the battle, and obtaining a few major injuries, he began to think hard about what Naruto had said, and he decided to begin repenting for his past actions.

He tried his best to keep Shukaku under control, and instead of killing innocent people he fought to protect them.

A few years after the Chunin exams he became the Kazekage, thinking that this would be the most sufficient way to help his people.

Gaara completed his story, and looked at me, his eyes sad.

''See? Compared to what I've done you're an angel.''

I smiled comfortingly. ''Gaara, your really to hard on yourself.''

His expression became confused, and I sighed.

''You did choose to kill those people, though in my opinion, when it came to the assassins you didn't have much of a choice, and some of the other circumstances were forced on you. Like having Shukaku put inside of you, you didn't choose that for yourself.

And as for you killing your Uncle? You didn't do that. He blew himself up.''

He swallowed. ''You don't think that I'm a monster?''

I shook my head smiling softly. ''I think your a good person, not a monster. I know people that have done worse then you have, and they have no intention of trying to make it right.''

I paused, and looked into his eyes. ''Gaara, the guys that raised me were in the Akatsuki. I love them, and I don't judge them for what they have done in their pasts. So I'm not going to judge you for what you've done. That would make me a hypocrite, and I have no desire to be classified as that.''

He looked at me shocked.

I took the time that he was silent to notice that it had gotten extremely cold during our time on the roof. I shivered, snapping Gaara out of his silent thinking. He looked at me worried.

''Do you want to go back inside?''

I shook my head, thinking of something that I would like better.

I scooted closer to him, and leaned my head on his chest. He stiffened for a moment and I had the brief thought that he might push me away. I gave him a second to adjust, before looking up at him. He had a confused look on his face, like he didn't know what he was supposed to do.

I giggled, and he looked down at me, giving me a sheepish smile. I grabbed his arm, and wrapped it around me. He caught on, and copied the move, wrapping his other arm around me.

I wasn't able to see him now, since I had my back to him with his arms securing me in place, but I felt the tension leave his limbs, and he relaxed, as he held me.

''Are you alright with this?''

I didn't want to push him, and I knew he wasn't used to the close contact. He didn't answer for a few minutes, and I wondered if he had fallen asleep sitting up.

I was about to turn so I could see his face, when he spoke.

''Yes, this is fine. It feels nice. But I really don't have any idea as to what I'm doing. I've never done anything like this. Its strange.''

I laughed softly. ''Don't worry. I'll help you learn as best as I can. And who knows, you may find that you know more then you think.''

I didn't know if this made any sense to him, but I was to tired to elaberate.

With his arms around me, and listening to his heartbeat, I was slowly falling to sleep. The last thing that I remember of being conscious was him shifting slightly, before speaking.

''Ria? I love you.''

I smiled, as I replied. ''I love you too Gaara.''

A moment later sleep claimed me.

I woke up the next morning lying in my bed snuggled up to Gaara's chest.

I noticed that my hands had tangled themselves in his shirt while I slept. So if he had wanted to leave he would have had to pry my hands away from him.

I smiled. Apparently I hadn't wanted him to leave me.

I looked up and noticed that Gaara was sleeping. He looked slightly childish. His face wasn't guarded, or hurt. It was open, soft. And completely adorable.

I relaxed my hands that were still in their death grip, and winced as I flexed them. They were sore from being tense all night.

I noticed that Gaara's arms had wrapped around me, as he slept. One was pillowing my head, and the other was still around my waist, holding me close to him. For someone that wasn't used to physical contact, he sure was holding me tight.

I tried to muffle my laughter, but a stray giggle escaped. His eyes flew open instantly, and he looked down at me, confusion evident in his aqua gaze. I saw comprehension dawn in his eyes as he remembered all that had happened the night before.

He suddenly seemed to notice how close together we were.

He blushed a deep red, the color rivaling his hair, and tried to untangle us from each other. Though it turned out that Gaara wasn't very graceful when he just wakes up. His muscles were stiff, and weren't really listening to the commands his brain was sending them.

So when he tried moving the arm that was on my waist, instead of it releasing me, it jerked, and that pushed me harder into him, pressing me tightly into Gaara's body.

I looked up at him, and saw his eyes dart frantically from one thing in my room to another. It was like he was scared.

I wiggled a little bit, so that I was eye level with him. Though his panicked eyes wouldn't turn my way. They finally settled on the ceiling.

I bit my lip, hesitantly.

''Gaara?''

He didn't even acknowledge that I had spoken, so I spoke a little louder.

''Gaara?''

He still didn't respond, and I huffed, knowing that he was listening. He had to be, he was laying right beside me, so I continued.

''Gaara, whatever it is, it's alright. I don't know whats wrong, but surely it can't be that bad.''

He looked at me, his eyes pleading.

''I tried to get you to let go of me last night. So I could put you in your bed. You just wouldn't let go. So I thought that it would be okay for me to stay with you, until you let me go. But I must have fallen asleep. I'm sorry.''

I stared at him, confused. ''Gaara why are you apologizing?''

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and turning a glare at the ceiling.

''I heard you sob. You tried to muffle it, but that's what woke me up. I'm not a very deep sleeper, and I heard you.''

He swallowed, before continuing. ''You must have changed your mind about last night. I would understand. Really I would.''

I frowned at him. He thought that I had been crying?

He looked back towards me. ''Thats why I was so frantic to let go of you. I didn't want to put you in a position that you didn't want to be in. But then my arms did the opposite, and Ria I'm so sorry.''

He had such a pained expression on his face that it made me sad.

I somehow got my arms free, and grabbed his face in between my hands. I wanted to make sure he heard me.

''Gaara I was not crying, I was trying to muffle my laughter. I didn't want to wake you up. You looked so peaceful. And as for changing my mind: I haven't. And I like you holding me. It's nice, and sweet, and hesitant, and I love it. So you don't have to worry about whether its okay to hold me. Its fine, and if I ever change my mind about that or my wanting to be with you, I promise, you'll be the first to know.''

I paused noticing that I was practically on top of him. I had started out beside him, but I guess as the speech got more intense I had moved.

I felt a blush heating my face, and quickly moved so that I was back beside him. His eyes followed me curiously, and I could tell that he had no idea why I was blushing. Which was fine.

I turned, slightly. Looking at the clock on my was eleven in the morning.

I looked back to Gaara, who was still puzzling about my blush.

''Will your siblings be worried about you? They're probably already awake, and outside.''

Gaara smiled. ''No, they never really worry about me. I can take care of myself most of the time.''

I smiled teasingly at him. ''So they wont come banging on my door, screaming that I have corrupted their baby brother?''

Gaara smirked. ''No, they won't say anything. Kankuro is completely oblivious to anyone besides himself, and I think Temari already knows. She came to talk to me yesterday, before I went to the roof.''

I stared at him, suddenly interested. ''Really?''

He nodded. ''She was the one that told me to talk to you. I was going to anyways, but she wanted me to hurry. She can be very inpatient sometimes.''

I laughed, and snuggled back into his chest. I knew that I would have to get up soon, but for a few more minutes I wanted to lay in Gaara's arms, and be held.

A few minutes later Gaara insisted on climbing out my window, instead of using the door like a normal person would. I told him that it would be easier to use the bedroom door, but he was determined that it wouldn't and that the window to his room was right next to mine.

It took me a few moments, after he left, to understand that if Naruto, or Kankuro saw him come out of my room that they would tease him endlessly about it.

So I nodded, and told him to be careful. He smiled at me,and I realized that I had just sounded like a complete idiot. Telling an elite ninja, to be careful, when he probably climbed on the roofs of houses all the time.

I sighed when Gaara had left, deciding that I wanted a shower.

As I let the hot water run over me I began to wonder what I was going to do after Sasuke was found. Gaara would go back to the sand village, and what would I do? If he asked me to, would I go back with him?

This was the place were I had grown up. Mostly.

Dolly, Weasel, and Die all lived close by. And then there was Niko, and the twins. I couldn't really leave them.

And Aubry. What would he say if I wanted to leave? I didn't have to think long on that. It would simply be 'no'. No arguments.

I sighed, irritated at myself. I was worrying, and that wasn't going to get me any answers. I knew that. All worrying got me was sick, and I had heard people say that it gave you wrinkles. I didn't want either. So I convinced my mind to think of something else as I got out of the shower.

When I had dressed, I walked into the kitchen, expecting Salem to be there eating. He wasn't. I shrugged. Maybe he stayed the night at that girls house. He's never liked walking in the dark by himself.

It was weird. He can control darkness, but ever since that stuff with killing his family he refuses to go out in the dark by himself. Not that I blame him. Killing your family can be a dramatic experience. Or so I had heard, from Weasel.

He had killed his entire clan except for his crazy little brother. Who was the very reason that I had a house full of ninjas.

I stopped suddenly, and tilted my head. Maybe Weasel would know where Sasuke was. He had told me that he had been keeping tabs on the kid while Weasel was in that Akatsuki. As far as I knew that informer was still there. It looked like I was taking a walk.

I made my way outside and told Naruto where I was doing, and he said that he wanted to tag along.

I shrugged, not minding and he ran off to tell Sakura that I might know someone who would know where Sasuke was.

I saw her face lite up, and I thought she might start squeal happily.

I looked around the yard, but didn't see Gaara anywhere. He must still be in his room. I also didn't see Sai anywhere so he must still be at Mona's.

I looked back to the side as I caught a sight of pink, and noticed that Sakura had was talking excitedly to Temari. She must be telling her the news.

I touched Naruto's arm, to get his attention, leading us towards Weasel's house.

Naruto was strangely quiet as we talked, looking at the scenery. I had forgotten how breathtaking the farmland was to someone who hadn't seen it before.

Dolly's house soon come into view, and I pointed it out to Naruto, with a smile.

''I'm going to stop there on the way back.''

Naruto nodded. ''Who lives there?''

I chuckled. ''Dolly, of course.''

He studied the house for a moment, before turning back to me.

''I would have thought that he lived in something a little creepier. The last time that I saw him, he was living in a cave.''

I laughed, and shook my head. ''I don't think Rosa would have been happy about living in a cave with him.''

A few minutes later I saw Weasels house come into view, and pointed.

''There's Weasels home''

I had barely finished before saw Weasels house now, and pointed.

I had barely finished speaking before Naruto went full ninja on me, and sprinted towards the house. I followed a lot slower. I didn't want to rush, and the only reason I would, was so I could go see Dolly sooner.

I got to the door to find Naruto standing there impatiently.

I smiled, and knocked on the door, hearing a commotion from inside.

A few seconds later the door opened and I looked down to see a pair of blue eyes. Soon after that a pair of black eyes settled beside the blue.

Riku, and Miku squealed excitedly when they saw me, and hugged me simultaneously, almost knocking me over.

Then they saw Naruto. Miku screamed, and literally threw herself at Naruto's legs. Riku aimed for his waist, and down Naruto went.

I laughed, and looked back towards the door, finding that Weasel now stood blocking it. He was looking down at the three people in the dirt, an amused expression on his face.

He looked back towards me, and motioned for me to come inside, before he turned away. I followed him, leaving Naruto to other mercy of the twins. I walked into the living room, and found Dani on the couch, a small bump forming at her stomach.

I had known for sometime that she was pregnant again, but it always surprised me to see that bump at her midsection. She saw me enter the room and smiled.

''Hello Ria. If I had known you were coming I would have made some tea.''

I smiled back, slightly amused. Tea was the only thing that involved Dani, and the stove. She was trained to be a warrior, not a cook.

So either Weasel cooked for all of them, or more often then not, took them to the market place to eat. ''Thats alright. I really just need to ask your husband a question anyways.''

Her smile vanished, and a panicked expression replaced it.

''Whats wrong?''

I sighed. Leave it to Dani to jump to the conclusion that something was wrong.

I smiled at her, trying to be comforting. ''Nothing really. I just have a question, and I think he might have an answer. If he doesn't then I'll go ask Dolly. I was planning on making a stop by his house anyways.''

She sighed, and relaxed into the couch again.

''So this has nothing to do with us personally?''

I paused, not really knowing how to answer. It WAS about Weasels brother.

'' Well...It's nothing Bad. Or life threatening.'' She looked at me curiously, before nodding, and leaning her head against the back of the couch. She closed her eyes, and I sighed.

She really needed to quit overreacting. She would hurt the baby.

I turned around to find Weasel standing close behind me. I gasped, and he smirked, motioning for me to follow him.

We walked into the kitchen, and I could see through one of the windows that Naruto, and the twins were playing tag. Naruto was 'it'.

We watched them play for a few minutes before I broke the silence.

''Hey Weasel.''

He grimaced at his nickname, but replied anyways. ''Hello, Ria. What can I do for you?.

I shrugged. ''I know you were keeping track of Sasuke while you were in the Akatsuki, but do you still? Keep track of him I mean?''

He nodded, and didn't take hiseyes off of his children as they played.

''Yes. I still have a reliable informer who is keeping an eye on Sasuke's activities.''

He looked at me curiously, and I paused before asking my next question.

''Can you tell me where he is?''

It was silent for a few seconds, and he asked a question of his own, without answering mine.

''Is that why Naruto is here? To find Sasuke?''

I nodded. ''Yeah. Him, and a few other ninja's.''

He turned towards me. ''Then I probably need to tell you what I know.''

He paused, taking a breath. ''I don't know Sasuke's exact location, but I do know that he is heading for Konoha.''

My look must have been confused, because Weasel stopped a moment to smirk, before he continued. ''He blames the leaf village for the destruction of our clan. Even though I was the one to carry out the orders, it was the village council that gave me the orders. And since the people follow the council, Sasuke is planning on destroying the entire village. Mainly to feel the pain, and sadness that he has felt for most of his life.''

I took a minute to think this over before speaking again.

''Your brother. Needs a friggan girlfriend! Dang! The boy has too much time on his hands to plan his revenge!''

Weasel laughed at my outburst.

''You're right. If he had a girlfriend, and maybe a few kids, there would hardly be time for sleep, much less for revenge. But thats what he has lived on for years; Avenging his clan.''

I crossed my arms, still upset.

''Yeah, well he needs a new hobby.''

He smiled at me, before turning back towards the window. Naruto was now lying on the ground while the twins climbed over him.

I sighed. Oh it was going to be fun telling all this to Naruto. I thanked Weasel for telling me, and after telling, him, and Dani, goodbye, went outside to tell Naruto.