Lily: wow, people really love this fic. my e-mail was almost overloaded with all the reviews.*faints from happiness*
Can't you see them?
Chapter Three
Nobody believes me!
Gaara was waiting on the bridge post, sitting on top of it like a dog. He didn't know why, but that annoying fluttery feeling was still there. It hadn't gone away since last night and it was really beginning to get on his already thin nerves. Gaara heard a small scuffing noise and looked over to see that Naruto was walking up to the bridge, looking like he had slept outside on the grass, in the same clothes that he was wearing clothes and merely went to class like that. Which, in fact, was what he had done.
He stopped in front of the post and grinned at Gaara.
Hey, so you came.
Cool, well, I hope it'll be fun.
The two sat in silence, waiting for the others. Sasuke and Sakura arrived at the same time, Sakura obviously trying to get Sasuke's attention. At the sight of Gaara, Sakura screamed and grabbed Sasuke's arm. Sasuke stopped dead, staring at Gaara.
What are you doing here? he ground out.
I invited him, said Naruto brightly, and if you have a problem with it, pretty boy, you can shove it up your ass! he grinned happily. Gaara smirked slightly.
Why did you invite him? Sasuke hissed again.
Because I wanted to,
Why did you want to?
I thought it'd be good for him to spend time with normal kids. He needs to have fun.
Sakura raised an eyebrow, Normal? Naruto, we're about the least normal shinobi that there are. I mean, our team is made up of an idiot with a demon imprisoned in his stomach, a handsome genius, a -ahem- cute, pink haired shinobi and a perverted one-eyed sharingan user who's never shown his face. I don't think that's normal.
Gaara frowned. She did have a point.
Plus, Gaara has tried to kill us on multiple occasions.
Another good point.
He won't try to kill you, Sakura-chan, said Naruto in an airy manner, he said he wouldn't. And you won't, right Gaara?
Gaara glared down at them and nodded. He had failed to notice the Doppleganger that was sneaking up behind him. It shoved him in the back, knocking him off the post.
Gaara had managed to land on Naruto, one hand either side of his head and knees on either side of his waist. Naruto giggled.
Sorry bout that, Gaara. I thought you'd be expecting it.
Gaara got up and lightly punched Naruto on the shoulder.
Black eyed freak.
The two punctuated each insult with a punch.
Sasuke and Sakura were staring at the two with a mixture of horror and disbelief. Gaara? Playing?! News flash, hell has just frozen over! thought Sakura to herself, but this may be good! Naruto has another friend... maybe he'll leave me alone with -gasp- Sasuke!
a fifth voice spoke up. It was Kakashi, walking towards the bridge, he didn't seem to have seen Gaara yet, Sorry that I was late, but there was this little old lady and she was um... being attacked by um... monkeys so I had to save her. Yeah.
Don't lie! shouted Sakura and Naruto together.
Aww, no one believes me. he sighed and looked dejected, Iruka didn't even believe me when I told him that the thing that I was hiding in my closet was not his birthday present. Why was he cleaning my closet, anyway? he half muttered to himself.
Gaara snorted. Kakashi jerked his head. He looked at Gaara but didn't seem surprised. As a matter of fact, Kakashi had known he was there the whole time, but decided not to make a big deal out of it, presuming that Sakura and Sasuke already had.
Gaara, um... nice to see you? Why are you here on this wonderful summer day?
I invited him! interjected Naruto with a huge grin.
Why did you invite him?
Whoa, Deja Vu. Ah... because I wanted to.
Why did you want to?
I thought it'd be good for him to come and have fun like a normal kid.
said Kakashi as he thought to himself, well, it's fine with me. But if he tries to mortally wound anyone I shall have to kill him on the spot, understand? Naruto nodded.
Gaara couldn't help but smile a little. It was funny, Kakashi was lecturing Naruto as if he had brought home a stray puppy. Gaara almost expected him to say, ... and make sure he doesn't pee on the carpet!
Kakashi smiled under his mask. This might actually be a good development. It would be good for Naruto to have some one in a situation similar to his own. And if the glances that Gaara was giving the boy were any indication then it might just be good for him too.
said Kakashi cheerfully, you all remember how I had you learn to climb trees? There was a collective groan. Well, today we're going to do that except with water!
howled Naruto, We're going to walk on water?!
Exactly! So, on to the bath house!
The team trudged unhappily to the bath house. Gaara didn't see why this was such a horrible thing. It would be easy!
said Kakashi as they stood by the side of the bath, It's a lot like climbing the trees, but there's a trick to it which I'm going to let you figure out on your own! Kakashi grinned at them and then disappeared. They could hear him in the neighboring bath.
Gah! Kakashi! What are you doing here?
Teaching my class, silly.
Really? I thought you were spying on me. Well, go teach your class.
Aww, but spying on you is fun, Iruka.
Ahh, so you were spying on me.
Ok, now go teach your class and leave me to take a bath.
Because I'd rather do this!
Gah! No tickling!
It's not my fault your neck is extremely sensitive, now is it?
Ahh! Stop that!
Naruto blushed and scrunched his eye shut, Sasuke glowered, Sakura giggled and Gaara glanced in the direction of the noise, slightly interested.
O- ok, stuttered Naruto, I'll go first.
He sent his chakra to his feet and stepped on the water. It held, his foot stayed up. he put his other foot on, it too stayed up. He took a cautious step forward.
Hooray! I did it!
Sasuke stepped on too, but the ripples from Sasuke's feet disrupted Naruto's balance, which caused him to fall in the bath, which in turn caused Sasuke to fall in. Naruto came up, spitting out water and Sasuke glared at him from under his wet bangs.
Naruto! You made Sasuke fall over! shouted Sakura.
No way! He made me fall over.
Gaara sighed and put one foot on the water, then the other. He began to walk across the water. Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto watched as he walked across and then broke into a run across the top of the water.
Wow! Gaara, how'd you do that? said Naruto in amazement.
Figure it out yourself, said Gaara. The red haired boy sat down on the water and leaned back so that he was lying down, arms crossed over his stomach. Naruto swam over and inspected the water around Gaara. He put his hand on the water next to Gaara's side.
It's flat! he exclaimed.
mumbled Gaara.
How'd you make it flat?
Think, stupid.
Umm... Oh! I think I got it! You spread your chakra out so that the water doesn't ripple!
Naruto brought one hand out of the water and laid it on top, fingers splayed, he pushed against the glasslike water until he could bring his feet up and do the same. Naruto stood up, wobbling slightly.
I did it! Naruto walked a few feet. He did a jump out of excitement. Woo -glub- He had fallen back in the water.
You lost concentration, idiot. said Gaara.
Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto and Gaara practiced walking on the water until they could confidently run across it. Sakura could even jump and land on the water without falling in.
said Kakashi, you all caught on a lot faster than I thought you would. Well, I guess you'll just have to spar for the rest of today's session. Back to the forest!
The soaked shinobi followed him, grumbling as they walked.
Ok, Gaara, you spar with Naruto. Sakura, you spar with Sasuke.
Call him crazy, we know you already do, but Kakashi had an overbearing wish to see just how well the two demon holders would fight each other. Ahh, if Iruka knew he was doing this on purpose, he would be sleeping on the couch again... Iruka could be so mean for such a sweet shinobi.
Naruto jumped into a defensive position while Gaara merely stood still. They stood like that for awhile, listening to Sakura and Sasuke fight. Finally, Naruto said, Are you gonna attack me or not?!
Gaara smirked.
He vanished and reappeared behind Naruto. Gaara swung his leg up, kicking Naruto in the back. Naruto yelped and fell forward. Gaara threw a kunai but Naruto back flipped out of the way. In mid flip Naruto performed the Art of the Doppleganger. Several Narutos tackled Gaara, one taking him in the stomach, two wrapped their arms and legs around his legs and a fourth stood behind him, arms draped around his shoulders.
Harem jutsu! laughed Naruto.
Suddenly, all the Narutos turned into naked girl Narutos.
Gaara blinked at the girls that were rubbing up against him. he glanced back up at the original Naruto, who was looking annoyed.
What's this supposed to do? said Gaara, confused.
shouted Naruto, That's my ultimate technique! You should have passed out from lust by now!
This is supposed to be arousing? Gaara looked at the pouting girl that was clinging to his waist.
Yeah! There is only one other person that this doesn't work and that's Kakashi, but I know why it doesn't work. I mean look, even pretty boy is susceptible!
It was true, Sasuke was desperately trying to conceal a nosebleed.
Gaara grinned and laughed.
One problem, Naruto... Gaara shifted his weight. ... I don't like girls! Gaara fell backwards, crushing one doppleganger, while kicking two others off. He grabbed the third by her wrist and swung her into the original Naruto. Naruto growled, the doppleganger disappeared and he dropped the illusion.
Sakura, Sasuke and Kakashi had stopped whatever they were doing to watch the two fight. Oddly, neither seemed to have the upper hand. They kept tackling each other, kicking each other off, sending the other one flying. It was really fun to watch.
It was only when Kakashi noticed that the sun was setting did he realize how late their session had been running. He clapped his hands, gaining their attention.
Ok, lessons are over for today! Everybody go home and rest up for tomorrow. We'll have a mission, so come prepared.
Kakashi vanished in a swirl of smoke.
The students said their goodbye's before heading their separate directions. Gaara vanished into the forest while Naruto headed towards his apartment. The setting turned the world indigo and orange.
