Man, HOW long has it been since I updated this???? *bows* Gomen ne, I usually update stories every week, but this took a lot of thinking through cause I originally thought this story should be one shot but since so many pal want me ta continue it, then I'll have to (Or some pplz will get VERY pissed off and kill me *sweatdrops*)

Well anyway, he's the next ch. I hope it isn't too bad really. Oh yeah, you might want to read ch. One again, just in case you forgot what this story is about. Some OOc-ness, especially with Gaara, but that will be explained later.

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"GYAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COLD COLD  COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" came Naruto's scream for the morning. Sakura sweatdropped. "That's what you get for not getting up when I tell you to" she said and placed the empty bucket which once help freezing cold water, especially since it was December, from one of the rivers close by.

After Naruto had calmed down from his shocking awakening, his teeth were chattering. "Y-y-you d-didn't h-h-have t-t-to m-m-make I-it s-s-so c-cold" he said and sneezed. "Oh no" Sakura said placing her hand on Naruto's forehead. "You're not sick are you?" she asked concerned. Naruto shook his head but he was still shivering.

"N-n-no" he replied then sneezed again. "I-I-I'm fine. Achoo!" he cried out and sneezed again. Then, something odd happened. Suddenly, Naruto felt a strange energy flow through him, making him feel, better. A while ago, he felt terrible and cold, and just plain sick. But now, it's as if he were given a miracle potion and was slowly healing. What? He thought. What's going on?

:Feel better?: came a voice in his head. "Yah!!!!" Naruto cried out shocked. "Who said that?!?! "He asked frantically looking around. Sakura backed away form Naruto. :: Inner Sakura: OMG He's hearing voices in his head. Naruto's completely lost it, he's gone insane!!! Gah!! Sasuke-kun, heeeeelllllllpppp mmeeeeeee!!!!!!::

:Calm down, it's only me: came that same voice in Naruto's head. "Who?!?! Naruto cried out immediately looking around for some sort of apparition. He heard someone sigh in his head again. : Take a wild guess Naruto-san: Naruto's eyes widened at the pet name he was called. "Gaara??" he asked still looking around for some sign of the Sand Village Shinobi.

"Gaara!?!?!?!" Sakura cried out panicking and looking around. "Where? Naruto!?!?" she cried out putting herself in a defense position. "Come out wherever you are!!" she yelled though he knees were chalk white and shaking.

:Yes it's me: Gaara replied in Naruto's head. Sakura still couldn't hear him. :Now calm down, I'm just testing out a new gift. And don't say anything out loud. Just think what you're going to say. I'll hear: :Ok……: Naruto replied unsurely. :Can you hear me?: he asked. :Clearly: Gaara replied. :Oh ok, is this part of the blood bond thing?: Naruto asked now remembering the events from the night before. :Yes, I believe so: Gaara replied. :I should have known it would happen, however, this is my first time doing this: :And it isn't mine either?: Naruto replied. :This is all VERY freaky, but at the same time, really cool. How'd you know about this anyway?: he asked. :I don't know. Something just…told me to do it. Like…something inside said it was something I had to do:

:Oh: Naruto replied shrugging. He then looked over at Sakura who was frantically looking around and her face was dead white. :Oh great, she probably thinks I'm insane and she's probably looking for you since I said you name: Naruto said rolling his eyes. Gaara laughed. : Ah…figure it out yourself. Just don't tell anyone, or they might be very angry with us. Besides, we don't know the full extent of the power. It could be a powerful ally, or our downfall.:

Naruto nodded. :Alright: he replied. :I'll keep my mouth shut: :I doubt it, but I'll be here to remind you in case you ALMOST let anything slip: It took a while for Naruto to figure out he was being insulted. :Hey!: he replied. :I can keep secrets. Especially if they're my own!: Gaara just laughed again which made Naruto VERY pissed off. :If you were here, I'd strangle you right now: he said sarcastically. :Can't: Gaara replied. :The sand will stop you remember: :oh yeah, I've got it now too, from yesterday, right?: :Yes: Gaara replied before cutting off their connection. :You'd better get dressed. You must have a lot of training today. I don't need it. I'll probably go explore the gardens now.: and then Naruto could no longer feel the boy's presence in his mind.

That was weird he thought. But extremely cool

"Hey Sakura?" Naruto asked appearing to look confused but he was mentally laughing. "What are you doing?" he asked taking the few dozen kunai she's had in her hand to protect herself. "Uh…I uh….you said Gaara was here!!!" she cried out and once again put herself in a defense position. "I did?" Naruto replied. He shrugged. "Must've been dreaming." He replied and smiled. "C'mon, let's get to training before we're late. Not that Kakashi won't be anyway" he said and immediately went into his closet to change.

After he was in his normal clothes, Naruto began to gather up his weapons when Sakura stopped him. "We don't need those today" she replied smiling a little despite the scare Naruto had given her earlier. "What? Why?" Naruto asked confused. Sakura only giggled. "We're going Christmas shopping silly" she said then got all starry eyed. "Ah, it's that time of year again. Oh what to buy what to buy" she said to herself.

"Christmas?" Naruto asked unfamiliar with the holiday. "What?!?!" Sakura screamed. "You mean you've never heard of Christmas??" she asked in shock. Naruto shrugged. "I've heard the name. It's that holiday when everyone starts acting weird and some people are actually nice to me. But what's so great about it?" he asked.

Sakura immediately felt a bit ashamed. She'd forgotten that Naruto had grown up alone and by himself. At first, she thought it was a great idea, but after talking to some people who were orphans like Iruka and Sasuke, well, that really didn't count, Sasuke barely said a word to her but, they all said it was lonely. And Naruto was probably no difference.

Inner Sakura: Wait, why am I feeling sorry for him? I hate him. But then, she eventually came to the fact that NO ONE should be alone on Christmas and that she really didn't hate Naruto. She just greatly disliked him. Inner Sakura: Besides, it's around the holiday season so I might as well be nice to him. Sakura sighed. "Christmas is a holiday where friends and family get together, and exchange gifts, to show that they love each other. It's a great holiday because you're spreading joy to other people." Naruto snorted then burst out laughing. Sakura seethed. "And just what is so funny!?!?!" she cried out. "I-I'm sorry S-Sakura-chan but t-that's just s-s-so sappy I want t-to barf!!" he cried out then doubled over laughing again. Instantly, Sakura shut him up but hitting him across the head.

"Oww…hey, that hurt" Naruto said rubbing his head. "You deserved it" came another voice from the door. In came Sasuke. He looked around. "You know, you should learn to close your door Naruto, you could get robbed. Not like there's anything of value in this dump you call a house" he commented which made Naruto seethe. "Temee, oiishiri" he muttered under his breath. Sasuke smirked.

"Demo…I agree with you on this Christmas thing. I'm surprised a holiday like this exists, the theme of it is so sickening, it does make me want to throw up as well." He said. Sakura stared open-mouthed at the two of them. Inner Sakura: How could they?? Are they all really that cold-hearted?

"Now now Sasuke" came another voice which happened to be Kakashi who also entered through the open door. "Will somebody please tell me why everyone's in my house!?!? Don't I get a little privacy??" Naruto cried out. "No, you never lock your door and you're always late" Kakashi answered dully. "So we sent Sakura here to go wake you up. Sakura nodded.

"Well, Naruto, get dressed already, or we'll never get to town on time!!" Sakura cried out then shoved Naruto into the bathroom to change. "Hurry up!" she added then shut the door.

Naruto sighed. "He didn't want to go 'Christmas' shopping but he thought he should at least get something for Iruka. :And me: came Gaara in his head. Naruto yelped and nearly jumped to the ceiling :Don't scare me like that!: he yelled mentally. :You're going to kill me one day: :I doubt I'd scare you to death, but anyway, you're getting me something right? Cause Temari's dragging me off shopping too and I plan on getting you something as well:

:Oh, ok then, what do you want?: Naruto asked as he dressed himself and brushed his teeth. :Eh…surprise me, I'm going to surprise you anyway, Kobito: Naruto spit out his toothpaste at the nickname :Whoa, you're Gaara, right?: he asked surprised at the nickname he was called :Yes, I am, Naruto. Besides, I like the name.: :Ok then…: Naruto answered unsurely. :What's with the sudden attitude change?: he asked. :You usually don't act like this:

:I know, I just, I don't know really, I like to think of you as my lover sometimes: :You mean like a boyfriend?: Naruto asked his eyes widening. :Yeah, I guess you can say that: Gaara answered. :Wait…do you want to be my boyfriend?: Naruto asked.

:Well, I can understand if you don't want to get into a relationship of some sort…: :no, really Gaara, it's cool. I like you too.: Naruto answered grinning. :Really?: Gaara asked hopefully. :Would I have bonded with you if I hadn't?: Naruto answered. Gaara laughed. :No, you wouldn't have: he answered. :Then it's official. I'm dating Gaara of the Sand: Naruto grinned.

Gaara chuckled. :And I'm the lover of Uzumaki Naruto: he answered. Suddenly, an energy surged out of Naruto's hand. He gasped as he saw the sand surround his palm then disappear leaving an amulet there. :It'll remind you of me while you're shopping: Gaara added then cut off as Naruto walked out of the bathroom. He smiled, then put it around his neck :All right then, Gaara-koi: Naruto giggled in his head.

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I know, I know, VEDRY OOC Gaara there, but personally, I like it! ^_^ Note that, he only acts that way around Naruto, and sometimes Temari and Kankuro. This is after Naruto teaches Gaara about emotions, and what caring about a person is like. So yeah, I just imagined he sort of reformed himself over the past few months, but his insecurity keeps him from being nice to others he really doesn't know.

Ok, I'm going to stop rambling now, plz R/R!! I'm so happy I got 18 reviews for this story ^_^

Buh Bye!!

s.S (aka sTaR SNipEr)