A/N: I really should stop putting these when I only babble ^^; but anyway~ Yay~ A longer chapter ^^ I decided to put two chapters together because otherwise they'd be really short on their own. Just thought I'd say~

Oh yeah~ and i want to say thanks to people ^0^ everytime I put a new chapter up I seem to get comments and favouriting, believe me it's still a shock everytime but a very nice shock :) so thank you thank you thank you ^^ *hugs people (well, except people who don't like hugs, cos that would just be mean)*

"What?" Naruto froze for a second, his hand that was holding Sasuke up against the wall going limp making Sasuke fall to the ground, having not expected the movement. Naruto took a step back, his eyes widening in fear, though confusion also showed through as he fought with his natural instinct to run from anything that involved the lab because of him small friendship with the boy in front of him. He thought it through for a second, trying to make sense, looking down at Sasuke all the while, trying to tell by his expression what he was thinking.

Sasuke looked up and gulped at the penetrating look he was receiving and instantly looked at the ground, wishing that Naruto would just get angry at him and be done with it.

Naruto carried on staring at Sasuke and sighed inwardly, slightly in relief. He could tell from Sasuke's body language that he hadn't known about what had been happening at the lab; otherwise he would have been this guilty before. It took him a second to remember his words back in the police station 'It was a research centre...on animals.". Naruto knelt down beside Sasuke, a slight frown on his face. He could feel the guilt emanating from Sasuke but there was something else there too, a raw pain that showed on his face no matter how hard he tried to suppress it. "Sasuke, what's going on? What aren't you telling me?"

"I don't know...I don't know anything anymore..."

Naruto had to strain to hear the words muttered, Sasuke seeming to talk to himself more than to Naruto. "Sasuke?" Naruto sighed and stood up, offering his hand to Sasuke. "Come on, there's no point sitting around out here, we'll just get cold." He grinned down. "My turn to invite you over to mine, it's closer than your house."

Sasuke mentally shook himself, finally coming back to reality and noticing Naruto's outstretched hand. He looked up sheepishly. "You're not going to beat the hell out of me?"

Naruto shook his head, smiling. "What have you done wrong?"

"But-"

"But I do want an explanation for the way you're acting now." Naruto grabbed Sasuke's arm and pulled him up before he could finish his sentence. "Is that OK?"

Sasuke nodded silently, knowing that even if the information hurt to think about Naruto had a right to know now. "I'm glad I told you on your own. I don't think Gaara would have been so forgiving."

Naruto chuckled, dragging Sasuke along behind him as he walked towards his home. "Gaara would have calmed down quickly enough if you'd said it in front of him, I'm sure."

Sasuke snorted at the faith Naruto had in Gaara, though knowing how much they trusted each other he decided not to say anything about it. "You know it's going to be a long story, right?"

Naruto laughed again, still dragging Sasuke along. "Yeah, I thought it might be...and? What's the problem? You can just stay over at mine." He'd heard Kiba talking about something called a 'sleepover' before and he'd always wanted to have one since he'd heard.

Sasuke laughed, Naruto's grin being contagious and finally alleviating the pain and guilt that he felt completely. "Sure, there's no problem I guess."

It wasn't until they were back at the flat that Sasuke's panic started again. He hadn't told anyone his story other than police questioning and witness statements. He coughed awkwardly once they had entered, looking Naruto up and down. "Hey, Naruto, you never did get changed after you got wet. You really should..." He paused at the look he received.

"Don't try and change the subject." Naruto walked through the small hallway, bypassing the kitchen and entering the bedroom, plopping down on his bed before gesturing to Sasuke to sit down on Gaara's, which he did gingerly. "Now then, what's going on Sasuke?"

Sasuke sighed, beginning to fidget under Naruto's gaze. "Well, uhh...you see..." He licked his lips, his mouth dry under the scrutiny.

Naruto sighed, shaking his head before leaning forward. "Fine, how about I start with a question then?" When he received the affirmative, he continued. "You said your family ran the lab but...didn't you say you were alone...that your parents were dead, so how does that work?"

Sasuke blinked for a second, shocked that Naruto had put all that together. "Oh, damn, I knew I forgot to ask something back at the station. Yeah, my family's dead. They died...5 years ago I think it was. That's when the laboratory was meant to have been shut down because of the mass breakout of animals. I should have asked Kakashi about the lab still running after all this time." He trailed off for a second, thoughtful.

Naruto frowned. "I've vaguely heard about that. It was the first night we got out of the lab...Kakashi said something about a case being closed..."

Sasuke nodded. "Yeah, the scientists that died were my family..." His fist tightened, an angry flare sparking in his eyes. "The case was closed because there were no witnesses, only insubstantial evidence." The spark dimmed as it was clouded with doubt. "Oh wait...that might not be such a problem now." He looked up at Naruto's perplexed facial expression and continued. "Sorry, I really don't know what to think now but I'll tell this how I always thought was the truth and then we'll talk about what I learnt today. I think it will be easier that way, OK?" He smiled as he received a nod somehow feeling relaxed about talking now. "Five years ago, my brother graduated from University. He was finally able to join my dad in his research, everyone was so proud..."

Naruto coughed as Sasuke seemed to go into his own little world again. "And?"

"This is relevant I promise." Sasuke snapped out of his reverie. "My brother...Itachi..." It took him a moment to say his name, having stopped himself for so long. "He entered the lab for the first time...and then a week later everything was gone."

"Huh?" Naruto blinked at him, confused.

"That's all there is if you look at the evidence the police compiled. All that is known is that my brother entered the work force there and then a week later there was a mass breakout of the animals and that some scientists were killed in the process. If it weren't for policemen like Kakashi it would have probably been ruled out as a freak accident from the beginning but there were inconsistencies." Sasuke held up his hand, counting off. "The 'animals' couldn't have escaped without human help, all the scientists that died had the second name 'Uchiha' or were in the vicinity of the breakout, leaving no witnesses and the murders of the scientists weren't primitive enough to just be claw marks."

Naruto nodded along with him, taking everything in. "So, you think it was your brother? Then why-"

"Why hasn't he been caught?" Sasuke interrupted him, shaking his head. "They never found him afterwards, he disappeared without a trace. The thing I never understood was that the animals also disappeared without a trace, the police found nothing. But now I know why I guess."

"What?"

Sasuke frowned at Naruto, realising he really hadn't come to the same conclusion as he had. "There never were any animals there to begin with...are you sure we're talking about the same place here? Because surely you should know this?"

Naruto shrugged. "Kakashi's the one that said it was the same place. To be honest we never saw out of the small building we were in. I didn't even know there were any other experiments taking place. Human or otherwise."

Sasuke nodded, feeling guilt and pity well up at those words but kept it down. "OK, sorry. What I mean is that..." He looked down at his hands. "I've been so angry at my big brother all these years and I never knew why he did it. I kept trying to reason it out over and over in my head but now I know. It's because he found out our family did something monstrous. Now I don't know if I can hate him like I did and that's completely knocked me. It's been the one constant in the last few years." He looked up at Naruto again. "I really am sorry for everything you've had to go through."

Naruto came and sat beside him, giving him a hug, not knowing how else to comfort someone. "What are you saying, stupid? It's not your fault. You knew nothing about it."

"Yeah, but-"

"No, I won't hear another word like that." Naruto pulled away, grinning. "We're friends right?" He held out his hand.

Sasuke blinked before grabbing Naruto's hand. "Yeah, I guess."

Naruto laughed, sticking his hand out. "You're still a bastard though."

"You're still a moron." Sasuke laughed at Naruto's pout before they both went silent, not knowing now what to say, though it was a comfortable silence, one which held no more secrets.

"You still want to stay over?"

Sasuke looked over at Naruto, who had just checked the time and noticed the slightly hopeful note that he had to his voice. He looked around; measuring the room and wondering how much space there would be if the two beds were pushed up against the wall. "This might be presumptive of me but...how about we invite Kiba and everyone round and have a proper sleepover?"

"A proper sleepover?" Naruto's eyes lit up as he was already reaching for his phone.

Sasuke nodded. "Yeah, I think you should have one." His smile waned slightly. "And I think Gaara could use a relax moment. Did you ever get to talk to him about how he sounded on the phone?"

Naruto froze before shaking his head, going completely silent as he thought about it.

Sasuke winced, realising he'd made Naruto worry. "See? I think he could use a break, and a little sleepover would do the trick."

"Really?"

Sasuke nodded. "Really."

~Half an hour earlier on the police station roof~

"This is where you got to." Kakashi panted as he finally got himself up onto the roof, his face bemused as he watched Gaara lying watching the sky. "What are you doing up here?"

Gaara shrugged. "It's quiet up here and I like the stars." He continued staring up at the sky, the only acknowledgement that he knew Kakashi was there was from his words.

Kakashi nodded and sat down beside him, watching Gaara's facial expressions before sighing, not able to discern what was troubling him. "What are you thinking about, Gaara?"

"My purpose, I guess."

Kakashi tilted his head, not having expected this. "Your purpose?"

Gaara nodded, still watching the sky, his face frowning slightly in concentration. "Yes, what is it? I guess I had a purpose in the lab but now out here...what's my purpose?" He looked over at Kakashi as if he held the answer, wondering if there really was a place and a purpose for him out here just like he'd had in the lab, even if he had never been told what that purpose was.

Kakashi shrugged. "Whatever you want it to be. Out here your purpose is completely up to you. What do you think it is?"

"If I knew that, why would I be asking you?" Gaara turned back to look at the sky.

Kakashi sighed, shaking his head. "OK then, what's the most important thing to you right now?"

"Looking after Naruto." Gaara blinked at himself, shocked at how fast the words had come out of his mouth.

Kakashi nodded, this answer he had expected, though he was slightly amused at the shock on Gaara's face as if he himself hadn't realised. "Well then, if you really feel the need to have a purpose, think of that as your purpose for now. But things can always change, not even a purpose is set in stone. You'll find other things important to you as you grow up and you'll find your own path." He chuckled as he realised he was giving a lecture about growing up when he still didn't think he'd grown up completely.

Gaara frowned, though he nodded that he understood to Kakashi. "Kakashi...why do I feel like looking after Naruto so much?"

Kakashi froze, not knowing what he would be getting himself into here. "Well...it's love whichever way you think about it." He cringed at how corny that sounded. "It just depends what kind, whether you think of him as family or something more."

"And how would I know that?"

Kakashi shrugged. "Only you would know what the feeling is. I'm sorry if you find that hard but it's the truth. I guess you can think of it against how you view your real siblings. Do you want to protect them as much?"

"Protect them?" Gaara hadn't thought of that before, he'd never thought of them in danger. He twitched slightly as he wondered about them going through what he and Naruto had. "I guess I want to protect them...but it's not as strong a feeling." Gaara shook his head, going back to his stoic expression. "Whatever, I guess I can figure it out some when."

Kakashi chuckled. "For the amount of expression you show on your face it's quite funny how much you really think and feel." He smiled reassuringly as Gaara looked over at him, perplexed. "I'll take it that all of this is brought on by your conversation you had with your family?"

"How did you-" Gaara stopped himself, annoyed that he'd given himself away and shown his emotion.

"Know? Because you said nothing about them when I asked what was important to you." Kakashi settled down properly next to Gaara. "You want to tell me what happened?"

"They think I'm a monster." Gaara sighed, flopping back down again as well. "As soon as I told them everything they made an excuse and left as fast as they could." Though he spoke nonchalantly, his voice held a hint of sadness.

"They probably don't think you're a monster but I guess it's true that they'd be a bit scared. Have you tried putting yourself in their shoes?"

"Putting on their shoes? How would that help?" Gaara turned to Kakashi, not understanding the context at all. "And I don't think they'd fit either."

Kakashi tried not to laugh. "Sorry, it's an expression. I mean have you tried to empathise with them?"

"Empathise?"

"Think about being in their position. You lost your brother years ago, you think he must be dead after all these years and then suddenly you find him again and your nervous and worried but also excited and so happy that you were wrong for all these years. But when you finally meet your brother he's different from the way he was before and then he tells you the horrid events he's been through in the years he's been missing and what's been done to him." He looked over at Gaara's concentrating face. "Now tell me, how do you feel at that moment?"

Gaara muttered out the words as he thought everything through, placing himself in his siblings' shoes and replacing himself with Naruto, that person being the easiest for him to think about in this situation and as family. "I guess I'd be frightened of what my brother had become...but I'd also feel bad for feeling that because he was my brother and I shouldn't be scared of him. I guess I'd pity him as well."

Kakashi clapped, not sarcastically but in actual shock at how fast Gaara had grasped the situation even though his emotions had been all but switched off at the lab. He began to wonder if Gaara was slowly becoming more 'human' as he spent time outside of the lab. "Well done, excellent. So, are you as hurt by how your siblings reacted now?"

Gaara shook his head slowly, still thinking. "I guess not but why did they leave? Surely they should have thought about how I felt in this situation?"

Kakashi nodded. "Yes, I guess so and they have done wrong here. But at the same time, you've only just thought how they feel, so what's to say they've only just realised how you would feel with them just leaving? And anyway think about all those feeling you said you felt when you were empathising. The fear, the guilt and the pity, if you felt all of them at one time what would you do?"

"I guess I'd want to run away and have time to think." Gaara paused, shocked at his own words as he realised he'd been made to answer his own question. "Ahh, I see." He looked over at Kakashi. "Thanks, now I understand."

"Good, so now hopefully you'll know that they don't think of you as a monster." Kakashi sat up and stretched.

"Yeah, maybe. I guess we'll see." Gaara sat up as well, wondering what he should do now. He had noticed Naruto and Sasuke walk off earlier and he didn't know whether he should go home or not, he didn't want to disturb them. He sighed softly. In his eyes he was still struggling to find his place here, whereas Naruto fitted right in. He began to doubt whether Naruto really needed him the way he needed Naruto.

"Shouldn't you be getting home soon? Naruto will worry." Kakashi piped up, not noticing the internal debate Gaara was having.

"Yeah...I guess." Gaara began to slide himself off the roof, not bothering with the ladder that Kakashi had used to get up, earning a 'tut' from behind him as he landed on the ground with a soft 'oomph'. He looked up and waved at Kakashi. "Thanks for everything."

"Whatever, just get going and stop worrying, k?" Kakashi laid back down on the roof, deciding to relax for a bit longer until someone found him and told him to get back to work.

Gaara began to walk down to the flat, taking as long as possible in his attempt to keep away. He jumped as he heard his phone ring before smiling softly at the welcome distraction. He frowned as he noticed Sasuke's number. "Hello?"

"Hey, Gaara! Where are you?"

Gaara blinked as Naruto's voice echoed down the phone before remembering that Naruto's mobile had run out of charge earlier in the evening. "I'm on my way, why?"

"Cool! It's because I'm having a sleepover with everyone...I hope that's alright."

Gaara nodded before remembering that Naruto couldn't see him. "Sure. Why wouldn't it be?" He paused for a second taking the information in and then feeling slightly hurt at the conclusion he came to. "Do you want me to stay with my family for the night then?"

"Huh? What are you talking about? You don't think we'd leave you out do you?"

Gaara stopped at the indignation he heard in Naruto's voice. "Huh? But I thought maybe-"

"That you weren't invited?" There was a slight click and the voice went quieter on the headset as Naruto called out into the room he was in. "Hey guys, Gaara thought he wasn't invited."

"That's stupid."

A soft voice filtered through the headset which Gaara dimly recognised as Sasuke's.

"Hey give me that-"

Gaara heard a slight scuffle on the other end of the call before Kiba's voice replaced Naruto's.

"Hey Gaara, get down here! You're part of this gang to you know."

The phone call was disconnected before Gaara had a chance to reply. He looked down at the phone in his hand; shocked at the friendly response he'd received, having expected all of Naruto's friends to be, well, just that - Naruto's friends, not his friends. He blinked before a smile spread across his face and then he was running. Running back to his home and the friends he had made without really noticing it.

Maybe he had found his place after all.