Pairings: None at the beginning, but final pairing is SasuNaru, there will be some GaaNaru and there may be other pairings with Naruto throughout the story.

Warnings: Shonen-ai (boy x boy love) at first and then when the characters are older it will become yaoi, so there will be homosexual pairings in this story. If this bothers you then please don't read this story. Mature content, crude language, cursing and sexual references are in this story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of it's characters. This story is a work of fiction based on the Naruto manga and anime series.

I want to give credit and thanks to ranma hibiki, one of the reviewers of this story, for helping me come up with some ideas on some of what happens in this chapter. :)

Thoughts and dreams are represented by italics.

Chapter Seven – Gaara learns how to show his affection

While Naruto and Gaara were sleeping, the Hokage was in a room up above them, talking with Kakashi. He had just explained to the masked ninja about who Naruto's parents really were and the story of the Amarutsu clan and their bloodline limit. He had told the silver-haired man how the kinjutsu the Fourth had used on his own son, to change Naruto's appearance and inhibit the bloodline limit, had failed. He had also informed the jounin about Orochimaru attacking his team and putting a curse seal on Sasuke and that Naruto had taken it off.

Kakashi was shocked when he heard it all, but he was especially surprised to find out that Naruto was the son of his former sensei. He had admired and loved his teacher and had grieved deeply when he had died. He had also loved Amaya, Naruto's mother. He had had a secret crush on her. Why didn't the Hokage tell me about all this before? I am Naruto's sensei and I should have been told everything! Kakashi's shock and surprise had turned to anger towards his Hokage.

I can see the shock has worn off and now he is angry with me. The Hokage sighed. "Kakashi, I had promised Arashi that I would tell no one. Not until the time came when Naruto would find out."

"I understand that you made a promise, but because of the possibility that Naruto's change would happen while he was out on a mission with me and his team, I should have been told. Maybe the Fourth wasn't thinking far enough ahead before he told you to keep it a secret. You should have used your own discretion and told me about Naruto, so that I could protect him better. As soon as he became a genin, he was at risk of being discovered."

"I understand your logic, Kakashi. I guess I let my emotions override my own logic sometimes. I kept the promise because it was the last thing he asked of me before he died. Naruto is still so young and I hoped it would be a few more years before he had to learn the truth."

Kakashi's anger deflated out of him. Well, the Hokage has always had a problem with separating his personal feelings for those he loves, from what would be best for everyone else. He loved, maybe still loves, that insane Orochimaru. I had heard that he didn't kill him when he had the chance. It all comes around in a circle. If he had killed Orochimaru back then, then Naruto would still be unaware of the truth about himself. The Hokage would have still been the only one to know about it.

"Well, what happens next?"

"Naruto is in a henge right now to hide his true identity. I asked him to continue looking as he did before, and to keep his secret from others until after the Chuunin Exams are over. That will give me time to confront Orochimaru and do what I should have done long ago." The Hokage knew he should have killed his former student when he had the opportunity in the past. But he had hoped that Orochimaru would change. But now, Naruto's life was at risk, because Orochimaru could discover the truth and try to use Naruto or even kill him.

"You shouldn't go up against Orochimaru by yourself, Hokage-sama!" He may be the strongest in our village, but he's old now and he may still care about Orochimaru enough to not put everything he has into the fight.

"I want to face him alone, Kakashi. I hesitated before, I need to make up for that."

"Forgive me, Hokage-sama, but that is selfish of you. Orochimaru is a threat to not only this village, but also to two of my students. Especially Naruto. Orochimaru must die!"

"I know that, Kakashi." The Hokage sighed. He is right, I am thinking selfishly. But it was my foolishness that allowed Orochimaru to escape before. I should swallow my pride though. This is too important. More important than my foolish pride. "You're right. I have already sent for Jiraiya and I will ask him to help me with Orochimaru."

"I want to fight him too. The three of us will be able to do it. Besides, it is my students I want to protect." I'm glad he is thinking clearly now. I was afraid for a moment that he would cling to the foolish idea of fighting the evil sannin alone.

"If you insist, but let Jiraiya and I do most of the attacks. I don't think your students would want to lose their sensei." The Hokage then smiled at Kakashi. "After this is all over, I hope you don't mind but...I think Jiraiya should take over training Naruto. He can teach him the things that he taught Arashi. He also knows a lot about the Amarutsu clan and their bloodline limit."

Kakashi frowned. He wants to break up my team. Now that I know that Naruto is the son of Yondaime, I want to spend more time with him. I owe it to my sensei.

The Hokage saw Kakashi frowning and thought he knew why. "Kakashi, I know you want to look after the son of Arashi and you still can. But you know that it will be for Naruto's own good that he train under Jiraiya. Jiraiya loved Arashi too, and he will be able to tell Naruto stories about his father. When Naruto isn't training with him, you can spend time with the boy, yourself."

Kakashi still wasn't happy, but he knew the Third was right. Whatever is best for Naruto. I can't be selfish with him. "I think I want to talk with Naruto now."

"Wait until morning, it's late now and he has a big day ahead of him tomorrow."

He's right, I can visit him early tomorrow morning. "That's a good idea. I will wait until the morning." Kakashi bowed his head to the Hokage. "Well, unless you have anything more you wish to talk with me about, I think I'll get some sleep myself."

"If I think of anything later that I forgot to tell you, I'll come see you and let you know. Have a good night, Kakashi." The Third smiled at him.

"Good night, Hokage-sama." Kakashi then turned and left the room.

After Kakashi had left, the Hokage started thinking of the boy he had met in Naruto's room. That new friend of Naruto's is a very interesting boy. He's the son of the Kazekage, and he is a demon holder too. I look forward to seeing what he can do in the third test, tomorrow. That gourd he carries around on his back, must play some role with his techniques. It looks heavy, he must be very strong to be able to carry it around all the time. Well, he can't be too bad of a person, if he's a friend of Naruto's. The Hokage smiled.

At dawn, Kakashi was standing outside the door to Naruto's room. He could sense that Naruto was not alone in the room. I wonder who could be in there with him? I need to be careful, it could be someone wanting to harm Naruto.

Kakashi made sure that his chakra signature was masked so he wouldn't be noticed, he raised his forehead protector up so his left eye was exposed, then he activated his Sharingan. He turned the door knob slowly. He opened the door enough so that he could get his head through to see into the room.

Kakashi looked all around the room for the intruder. When his eyes reached the bed, he was startled. There are two people in the bed. With his Sharingan he was able to make out that it was two young boys, one with red hair and his blond student. Who is that boy sleeping with Naruto? Ahh, that is so cute! They are cuddling! Damn, why didn't I bring my camera! Kakashi was grinning.

Well, I guess Naruto isn't in any danger at the moment. Kakashi was about to step into the room in order to get a closer look, but stopped himself. I don't want to wake them up right now. It is still early and Naruto needs to be rested enough to fight later.

Kakashi stayed where he was for a few more minutes and just watched the boys sleeping. Then he noticed that the red-haired one's breathing had changed, indicating he was waking up. Kakashi quickly, and quietly, backed up and then closed the door. He walked quietly away from Naruto's room and then decided he would go and check up on his other two students.

Gaara awoke feeling better than he had ever felt in his life. It was the first time he had slept for a whole night that he could ever remember. I feel so comfortable right now.

Gaara opened his eyes and saw blonde hair. His face seemed to be resting on someone's neck. The red head almost jerked back in surprise. Then he remembered where he was and whose bed he was in, so he relaxed again.

Gaara found that not only did he have his face pressed into Naruto's neck, but that he had his arm wrapped around the blond's waist and one of his legs was slung over his friend's legs.

This feels strange, but nice. I don't want to move. Naruto has done so much for me. He became my first friend and he helped me to sleep. I wish I knew how to thank him. To show him how much he means to me. Gaara tried to recall how he had seen other people show how they care to others. He would watch other people as he grew up, seeing how parents would hug and kiss their children, how men and women would hug and kiss each other.

Hugging and kissing...that seems to be the common way to show you care. No one in my family ever hugged or kissed each other though. I wonder why? Is it because we had no mother to show us how? I don't think Father cares about Temari or Kankuro, I've never seen him hug or kiss them, like other fathers that I've seen. I will not be like my father. I will show Naruto how much I care about him. With that in mind, Gaara raised his head up and looked at Naruto's face.

He is still sleeping. His face looks so peaceful. Gaara smiled at his friend. He raised his body up a little so that he could get his face closer to the blond's. Then he hugged Naruto tightly and leaned his head down and kissed him on the cheek.

After he had kissed him, he moved his head back and looked to see if his kiss and hug had awakened his friend. But Naruto was still sleeping. Well, that was practice anyway. When he wakes up, I'll do it again. Gaara laid back down and put his head down on his friend's shoulder. He kept one of his arms tightly holding on to Naruto's waist. After a couple of minutes went by, he relaxed his arm and just laid there to wait for Naruto to wake up.

Kabuto had awoke at dawn, and got up from his bed and dressed for the day. I must find Orochimaru and tell him what I heard outside Naruto's room, yesterday.

When Naruto had been telling Gaara the truth about himself, Kabuto had been standing outside his door. He had found out which room Naruto was staying in, and had been about to knock on his door, when he heard the boy talking to someone else.

He had looked around to make sure no one else was in the hallway, then quickly moved to stand with his back pressed to the wall next to Naruto's door and then he performed a henge to make himself look like he was part of the wall. He listened to what Naruto was telling his visitor. After he had heard all he needed to know, he had dismissed the henge and quietly walked back to his own room. He had spent the rest of the evening thinking about all he had heard.

Now he was ready to go in search of his leader. Orochimaru may be angry with me for waiting so long to give him this information. That can't be helped though, I needed the extra time to decide if I wanted to tell him everything I heard. I would love to keep some of the truth from him to use later myself, but I'm afraid that Orochimaru would find out that I was keeping things from him. I can't afford to have him not trust me.

Orochimaru was currently in disguise as the Sound team's jounin sensei. He was staying in a room next to his team. He sensed Kabuto approaching his door and got up from his bed and went to open the door. He had been awake for a few hours and was already dressed.

When he opened his door, Kabuto was standing in front of him. "Come in, Kabuto." Orochimaru left his door open and went to stand in the center of the room.

Kabuto entered and closed the door behind him, locking it. He bowed to his leader. "I have the information you wanted about Naruto-kun."

Orochimaru smiled at him.

Kabuto walked closer to Orochimaru to stand a couple feet from him. "His father was the Fourth Hokage."

The snake sannin almost gasped. But he stopped himself in time and managed to keep his true emotions from showing on his face, even though inside he was very surprised. He kept himself from dwelling on the implications of what he had heard. He needed to hear the rest of what Kabuto had to say. "That is very interesting, Kabuto. Please continue."

"His mother was a survivor of the Amarutsu clan massacre. That clan had a bloodline limit called the Seichuu Chakra. You have heard of it?" Kabuto had seen recognition come into Orochimaru's eyes when he had said the name of the clan and the bloodline limit.

"Yes, I know all about them. I remember when the clan was destroyed. Does Naruto-kun have the Seichuu Chakra?" He must! That must be how he took off the curse seal.

"Yes, he does."

Orochimaru's smile got bigger. The Seichuu Chakra is even greater than the Sharingan. I would be wasting my time using Sasuke-kun as my container when I could have Naruto-kun instead. This changes everything. I can use him to destroy Konoha and kill Sarutobi. My old sensei loved Arashi and made him the Fourth Hokage instead of me. It will be sweet revenge to use the Fourth's own son to kill Sarutobi. It's a shame that I won't be able to use the boy's body forever. A few years isn't enough! I must find a way to extend how long I can use my containers.

"Thank you, Kabuto. You have no idea how much this information means to me."

"I believe I do, Orochimaru-sama." Kabuto smiled. "So what happens now?"

"I can't use the curse seal on Naruto-kun. His own chakra would repel it from his body. I have done extensive research on his bloodline limit and as far as I have been able to find out, it would be difficult to find a way to defeat it. But since he's just a boy and from what I have seen, not very bright and too trusting...we should be able to use his own character flaws against him. I will need to think more on this, Kabuto. I hope you will do the same."

"I will, Orochimaru-sama."

"That is all, Kabuto."

Kabuto bowed and then left the room.

I must think of a way to trap the boy. I will have his body. Orochimaru sat down on his bed and proceeded to try to think of a way he could achieve his new goal.

Sasuke had awoke before dawn, but had decided to stay in bed instead of getting up. He had been laying there thinking for a couple of hours, when he sensed his sensei's chakra signature approaching his door. He closed his eyes and pretended to be still asleep. Kakashi opened his door and looked in at him, but didn't stay there but a few seconds. After his sensei closed the door and left, Sasuke opened his eyes again.

The day before he had spent almost all of his time in his room. He had only left once to go eat dinner. He had been pleased to find no one in the dining area when he had got there. His luck had held and he had been able to eat alone. On his way back to his room, he had passed by a few of his old classmates headed in the other direction. But he had ignored Kiba, Shino and Hinata and they had only nodded at him in greeting. He figured they were headed to the dining room to eat. For the next several hours after he had come back to his room, he had been spent his time thinking about his brother, the upcoming third exam and Naruto.

He was still thinking about Naruto this morning. I still feel different today. It has to be because of Naruto's chakra still being inside me. I wish I had his chakra. His bloodline limit. Then I know I could defeat Itachi. I can just imagine all the things I could do with it. It makes me angry that someone who doesn't really need it, has it, while I am left being so weak, when I need to be strong. I wonder what it would be like if Naruto had pushed even more of his chakra into me. He didn't give me very much of it yesterday. Just enough to make me not feel so tired. I wonder what more of it would do for me. I need to talk to him today. I'll wait until a little later when he should be awake.

Naruto woke up an hour after Gaara had. He felt warm. He opened his eyes and looked down. Hmm, Gaara is laying on top of me.

Gaara had felt Naruto's movements and knew his friend was awake. He lifted his head up and looked up at him. He smiled into sleepy blue eyes.

This close up I can see how pretty Gaara's green eyes are. He looks happy too. He's smiling. Naruto smiled back. "Good morning, Gaara."

"Good morning." Then Gaara remembered what he wanted to do. He raised himself up and then lowered his head and kissed Naruto on the cheek, then he raised his head and smiled at his friend again.

Why did he kiss me? "Um, Gaara, why did you kiss me?"

"I wanted to show you how I care about you. Isn't that the right way?" Then Gaara remembered what else he was supposed to do. He gave Naruto a hug.

Naruto hugged back. Gaara is acting strange. But at least he's trying to show his feelings better now.

After Gaara released him and moved back to look at him again, Naruto smiled proudly at him. "I'm proud of you Gaara. You are learning how to show how you feel. Friends do hug. I'm not too sure about the kissing part though. I've never been kissed before. Well, the kiss with Sasuke-teme doesn't count! It was an accident.

"Oh. So I should only hug? But I watched people before and they also kissed." Gaara was confused about why he shouldn't have kissed Naruto. Then he thought about what Naruto had just said. Naruto has never been kissed before. Neither have I.

Naruto blushed. "Well, you're right. I have seen people kiss others on the cheek before too. I was just surprised."

"You said that you had never been kissed before. I haven't either." Gaara had a sad look in his eyes.

Naruto saw it and decided to make his friend feel better. He lowered his head and kissed Gaara on the cheek and then moved back. He blushed. "Well I guess there is nothing wrong with friends kissing each other on the cheek, every now and then." Then he grinned.

Gaara liked having his friend kiss him. It felt nice and it makes me feel loved. He smiled back up at Naruto.

"Well, I think we should get up now, Gaara. I'm hungry, how about you?"

Gaara nodded and got up off his friend and then got out of the bed. He started getting dressed.

Naruto bounced out of the bed and found his own clothes and started putting them on.

After Gaara was dressed, he started to put his gourd on his back.

"Gaara, you won't need that for breakfast. We'll come back to the room after we eat."

Gaara looked at the blond. "I always carry it with me. I feel safer with it on." He then strapped the gourd to his back.

That thing must be heavy! I don't know why he insists on carrying it around all the time. "Alright, Gaara. Let's go eat!"

Naruto and Gaara left the room and headed to the stairs.

Sasuke had just left his room to go in search of his blond team mate. He had seen Naruto leaving his room with the red-haired Sand nin behind him. What is he doing with that guy? They were in Naruto's room together. This early? He called out to the blond. "Hey Naruto!"

Naruto turned around and saw Sasuke in the hallway. Damn! I don't feel like stopping to talk to him now! I'm starving! "Um, hey Sasuke."

Sasuke walked up to Naruto and Gaara. "Why was he in your room?" He kept his eyes only on Naruto when he asked this.

"Why do you care?" Naruto wasn't in the mood to be civil towards his team mate.

"Just answer my question."

"He's my friend, okay? We're going down to get breakfast. If you want to tag along you can." Naruto then turned his back on the black-haired boy and walked to the stairs.

Gaara smirked at Sasuke then followed behind the blond.

Sasuke glared at Gaara's back. He stood there for a minute wondering if he should follow them to the dining area. I need to talk to him. But Gaara will be there! What is the dobe doing hanging out with him? It makes no sense. Then Sasuke realized he would only get answers to his questions if he went with them to eat. So he walked down the stairs and headed to the dining room.

When he got there, he filled a plate with food and walked over to where Naruto and Gaara were sitting. He sat down beside the blond. He saw Naruto was too busy to talk at the moment, because he was devouring down his breakfast like he hadn't ate in days. So he decided to eat his own breakfast.

Naruto had noticed when Sasuke had sat down next to him, but he didn't look up at him until he had finished every bite on his plate. What could be so important to the bastard that he would follow me all the way here? "What do you want Sasuke?"

Sasuke looked up from his meal and met Naruto's eyes. "Why don't you answer my question from before, first."

Damn, I forgot what he asked! Then it came back to him. "I already answered that. Gaara is my friend, that is why we are together."

"Dobe, when did you find the time to become friends with him?" They never talked before. Gaara had ignored him when we all first met.

"Yesterday, Sasuke-teme. And stop calling me a dobe!" Naruto glared at the dark haired boy.

Sand was stirring around Sasuke's chair. Naruto saw it and figured out what it meant. He turned to Gaara. "As much as Sasuke-teme needs to be put in his place, he's still my team mate and I don't want him to be hurt badly."

Gaara sighed. Naruto is too forgiving. I will just have to find another way and another time to get back at the Uchiha for calling my friend a dobe. Gaara's sand went back into his gourd and he put the plug back in it. He then went back to eating his breakfast.

Naruto turned to look at Sasuke.

Sasuke had noticed the threatening sand and then heard Naruto's words to the red head. Gaara was trying to protect Naruto. This whole situation is strange. Naruto has a habit of making friends wherever he goes. But to befriend someone as dangerous as Gaara is a bit too much. He noticed Naruto was looking at him and waiting for him to speak. "I need to speak with you alone. Without your new friend."

"Gaara knows everything, Sasuke."

"What!" Sasuke was shocked. "You told him the truth? I should have known you couldn't keep your mouth shut for too long, dobe." Sasuke was angry.

So was Gaara. He had pulled the plug on his gourd and sand was stirring around Sasuke's chair again.

"Gaara, don't!" Naruto turned to look at the red head.

Gaara glared at Naruto. "He went too far, Naruto."

"Gaara, please. I know you want to protect me, but it's only words. I'm used to Sasuke saying things like that."

"You shouldn't be. You don't deserve to be talked to like that, especially by him." Gaara had stopped glaring at Naruto and was now glaring at Sasuke instead.

Sasuke glared back.

Gaara sent his sand back into the gourd and plugged it again. He kept glaring at Sasuke though.

Naruto looked back and forth between them and sighed. This is giving me a headache. Maybe if I eat some more food I'll feel better. Naruto got up and went back to the table, where the breakfast was laid out, and filled his plate back up again. Then he came back to the table and started devouring everything on his plate.

Sasuke and Gaara were still glaring at each other. They kept it up until Naruto was finished with his second helping of food and had turned to Sasuke to speak to him. "As I said before, Gaara knows everything. But we can all go back up to my room and talk. Okay?"

Sasuke grunted. "Hn."

Naruto, Gaara and then Sasuke got up from the table and left the dining room. They headed upstairs to Naruto's room.

TBC