Gaara woke up to the sound of loud machinery drilling into the building. He rarely ever slept, so when he finally had the luxury of drifting off, even if it was just for a short time, he cherished it. He glared at the clock; it was only eight in the morning. Gaara groaned and dressed, it was for the better he didn't sleep anyway. He massaged his temple as a tired ache began to pound into his head.

I was so close to escaping boy…why don't you rest a little longer?

The red head sneered at the voice within him and strapped on his gourd. "Why don't you leave me alone?" he hissed to the empty room.

You know I can't do that child, if I could, then you would be dead.

Gaara clutched at his head, he knew the beast within him desired nothing more then freedom. Something he could never allow. He mentally thanked the construction outside for waking him from his short slumber.

I heard that; don't forget I hear everything you think.

The sand nin rolled his eyes, even when he was alone with his thoughts, he wasn't. It had gotten him into the nasty habit of taking to himself when he forgot to mentally respond.

"I'm going to explore this village."

Good idea kid, that way I'll know what to destroy first when I get out.

Gaara just ignored the voice and headed towards the door.

He was locking his door when the elevator door ringed open, naturally catching Gaara's attention as he tucked his key into his pocket. He was caught breathless when he saw the teen exit the doors.

Neji held his English book in his right hand while he tucked some hair behind his ear with his left. He looked up in time to meet eyes with the red head and stepped out of the elevator.

If Gaara were still holding the key, he would have fumbled with it. He saw pupil-less lavender eyes pierce through his own as the boy in front of him walked closer. The redhead watched in silent awe as the gorgeous figure in front of him came closer.

Neji walked to his door, which happened to be across the hall from the new kid's. The Hyuuga smiled politely and met Gaara's gaze.

"I didn't know someone lived there…did you just move in?"

For an unexplainable reason Neji felt like he wanted to know his new neighbour all of a sudden. His smile faltered when he didn't get a response and the other boy stared at him, mouth gaping open. Neji tried again.

"Are you from around here or are you new to Kohana?"

Gaara stared at Neji as if he just grew a second head.

Neji scratched at the arm that clutched his book. He would try one more time to communicate to the redhead in front of him.

"Well, I guess we're neighbours now either way, huh? Well if you are new to Kohana and need someone to show you around, I'm right next door."

He smiled again when the boy before him opened his mouth and tried to form words, then reached into his pocket, fumbled with the lock on his door and slammed it shut as soon as he retreated inside.

Neji stared at the door for a moment before frowning. /Maybe he's just shy/ he thought, trying to ignore how rude he thought his neighbour was being.

Garra stared out the eyehole on his door until the other had entered his own room, disappearing from the hall and sight. He exhaled noisily and leaned against the door.

Haha! Oh my god, that was great! You just made my day kid, you really did.

"Shut up Shukaku! It wasn't funny."

Gaara growled and checked through the eyehole again to be sure the Hyuuga was gone.

Why were you acting so funny anyway? That's unlike you.

"I don't know…it was weird wasn't it?" He answered back truthfully and re-opened the door. Maybe if he was quiet enough he could sneak out of the building unnoticed. As soon as he made it past Neji's room, he took off for the elevator and made it out of the building as fast as possible.

Gaara wandered the village, not finding anything of particular interest until he came across a ramen bar with a blonde sitting alone. Shukaku growled from the depths within him.

I don't like that boy.

"Why not?" Gaara asked forgetting he was speaking aloud.

There's something I don't like…he has something within him too.

"What should I do?"

Stay away from him for now; I don't want you near him. You hear me?

Gaara nodded obediently then took a step back when the blonde looked up and met his gaze.

Naruto stared; he thought he saw the boy having a conversation with himself. A familiar voice within his own body rumbled awake.

Who is that child?

Naruto shrugged, he learned long ago to respond in thought rather than words.

/Beats me, but he's acting strangely. Must be new./

I want you to keep your distance from that boy, at least until I figure out what the strange aura coming from him is.

/Aw, but he looks harmless. Maybe he just wants a friend/

Kyuubi growled, Naruto, listen to me. He could be dangerous.

/You over-react Kyuubi. I'll be fine./

Like I care about you…

/You know you love me./ Naruto grinned and stood up. He noticed the redhead hesitate when he headed towards him.

"Hiya, I'm Naruto. You look new-"

Gaara took off before Naruto could finish the sentence. The fox-child just stood there with his hand outstretched to the air.

"First time I got a reaction like that."

No it wasn't.

/Shut up Kyuubi./

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The small boy huffed to catch his breath; running with a gourd on your back exhausted you quickly. He would have thought he was used to it by now, but with how breathless he currently was, he was mistaken.

"I should just go home…"

Are you crazy? You want to return to that?

Gaara shook his head, giving him enough time to catch his breath.

"No, Shukaku, not there. Home. The apartment."

Ah I see. We're less of a spectacle there. You should buy some groceries now then, since you run away from everyone you met, eating in a restaurant could prove troublesome for you.

The small boy scoffed, as much as he hated to admit it, the demon within him was right. He was too unfamiliar with these grounds to eat out just yet. He headed to the direction of a store to buy some food.

Kowaikage- I'm baaack! And with a new chappie for you guys too! Hope you enjoy, cause I prolly won't be able to update for a little bit, I get to go to an anime convention in a few days//squeals with excitement/ I'm dressing up as Sasuke, maybe there will be a delicious Itachi nearby….or Neji…or Gaara…or Naruto…heehee!

XCrAzYxGuRlx- first off//glomps you for leaving such a long review/ I love it when I get reviews, but when I get a really long one like that, it makes me feel great all week, so thank you!

Chinese Fairy- okay, first things first, Alantis Love, wicked! I can't wait til you update it. I love it! And making Gaara and Naruto brothers? Very very cute. Wait…I'll save all this for when I review, lol. And yes, you completely inspired this fic, so I really hope you like it.