Two day's had flown by since the incident. Gaara had refused to let Naruto leave to hospital without proper guard and care. He, the Kazekage, had ordered the blonde to stay in the village. Finally, on the third day, Naruto growled. "Why are you keeping me here Gaara? I need to get back to the village! I need to get back to Sasuke! I need to save him damn it!" The boy shouted at the top of his lungs.

Gaara growled back, not amused with the display. "Your acting like a young child whom isn't getting what he wasn't. Do you want to go back there now and just die? I guarantee that is what Orochimaru has in store for you…here…this came." The red head said, tossing a letter to the boy whom snatched it in mid-air before the red head left, slamming the door.

Carefully opening the envelope, Naruto's eyes settled on the handwriting, knowing it to be Sasuke's. 'Give me back my little toy Gaara. He's not your clan member and he needs to come home and face his fate like a good little fox. Should you choose not to throw the wretch out by this coming Friday, we will do that same to your village and make sure that you are remembered for being the 'monster' whom failed in his duties to his village.'

Crumpling the letter in his hand, Naruto growled as he looked out the window. "How dare he….he's toying with Gaara but Gaara….Gaara is trying to protect me…but why?"

"I already told you once before…you saved me…and I'd do the same for you." he heard the boy's voice echo from outside the door; it crackled with emotion.

Walking back over to the door, Naruto opened it to see the Kazkage sitting in the hall, his head on his propped up knee; a hand on his head. "But…there is something else to isn't there?…." Naruto suddenly questioned him, pulling him back inside the room and shutting the door.

"Gaara…is there something deeper then this...'friendship' that we have?."

"Only if you'll allow it." Gaara whispered back to the confused blonde.

'I knew it…he…' Naruto whispered to himself as Gaara sat down on the bed, his head in his hands. "Naruto…you….are the only one whom acknowledged me…but…I know that your love belongs to Sasuke Uchiha…" He said, gripping his head.

"I tell myself that over and over again but…" The red head was nearly in tears at this point.

Naruto could understand what he was saying; for it was the same back in his village long ago. No one treated him like he was human, like he was a monster…like they hated him for just existing in their world of perfection. The only difference was that unlike Gaara, he found Sasuke and Sakura and his sensei. Even the Hokages loved him like a grandson; yet Gaara was shunned still. Reaching over, the boy touched Gaara's shoulder before he crouched down to his height. "Gaara…you're right…I love Sasuke but…that doesn't mean…I don't care for you either…." Naruto finally said, trying to find a way to put his words.

He could never forget Sasuke, and he would never be able to truly return Gaara's feelings but…"Just tonight…let me hold you tonight…" The redhead muttered, his eyes gazing into Naruto's.

Unable to refuse, Naruto nodded lightly; now hugging Gaara, he nuzzled his neck causing the blonde to shiver. They stayed that way for hours, just holding each other in their sorrow; neither speaking more then a small sentence. Finally, Naruto let go of Gaara and looked at him hard. "You'll find someone whom truly wants to be with you just as you want to be with me…and when that time comes, I want you to give them a chance…okay?" Naruto questioned.

"Yeah…." The red head whispered as he slipped back into the sheets of the hospital bed, allowing Naruto access to follow.

Naruto hopped onto the bed and got comfortable before he allowed Gaara to wrap his arms around Naruto in a gentle embrace. Smirking lightly, the boy kissed the top of the other's pale forehead and ran his hand down his back whispering. "You've been alone for so long….but I'm sure that you'll find someone…just like I have…"

Gaara nodded, laying into the blonde's chest, just savoring the moment. 'How is it…that you of all people…can show me the path, when you yourself are stuck in as much darkness?' Gaara thought, looking up at the boy with thoughtful eyes. Naruto closed his eyes as he felt Gaara's travel over his body. Finally, Naruto opened one eye and glanced back down at the red head. "Aren't you tired?"

Gaara sighed and looked down. "I can never sleep because…" He choked off the last part, unable to speak.

Naruto nodded in understanding, remembering the permanent dark circles around the boy's eyes. "You can now….because I'm here." The fox whispered nuzzling the top of his head.

Gaara's eyes widened as he looked up at Naruto before he nodded and rested his head once again into the boy's warm chest. 'Is this…what it's like to be loved?' He whispered in his mind before falling asleep for the first time in many years.

Naruto smiled down at the Sand Kazekage with a gentle growl. "Your not alone….not anymore…"

That morning, Naruto left the sand village and started back to what was left of his own. 'Gaara…you and Sasuke are alike in one way…you both had to be pulled out of the darkness….but now…I have to go find a way to do that for Sasuke…' He thought as pictures of the Sasuke he once knew and this 'new' one flashed in his mind. It was while he was in deep thought, that the fox decided to pull the blonde into a vision once again.

"You've changed quite a bit squirt…first your suicidal, then your training to death, and now…now it seems your back to your old self with a few changes and a bit more maturity."

'Heh…guess your right about that…' Naruto whispered as he peered into the cage.

"Why are you going back to that boy? You have all you need in the sand village."

'I'd be putting Gaara and his village in danger, plus my heart belongs to Sasuke.'

"Even if he smashes it?" The fox questioned, stepping forward a bit to look at the boy's face, whom showed nothing more but sadness and sincerity.

'Even if he breaks it…'