Now that Naruto and Gaara were adopted, they grew closer and closer. And Benji was pleased that when they each found out they both contained a demon, it didn't break them apart. It only made their unique bond even stronger.

These days the two boys trained as hard as they could. Naruto's main goal was still to become Hokage, while Gaara's goal was a little different.

"What's your goal, Gaara?"

"It's a little complicated. It's a few things, really."

"Oh? Can you try to explain it then? We'd love to help you."

"…Okay. Well, the first part it that I want to be in control of all my power. Even though there is a monster inside of me, I want to make sure people know I am in full control, at the top of my game at all times. The second part is that I want to reach my full potential and make the both of you proud. You've done so much for me, and when you two get older I want to be there for you, to protect you."

It had been when he really started coming out of his shell. He talked and laughed like a normal child after they talked about dreams and goals. Around other people he was quiet and subdued, but when training with Naruto or at dinner with the other two he was just as loud as them.

Naruto had shown such promise at learning and using extraordinary Jutsus. The only problem was that he had almost no control. So for three years before they went to the academy, Benji taught him chakra control. No fancy Jutsus, no special moves, just chakra control. She helped both of them out with Taijutsu, but it was more difficult with Gaara, since his sand blocked everything instinctively. He would be different at the academy, and Benji taught him that he was special, and no matter what others said, she loved him all the same.

Gaara was taught a variety of things, because, other than his incredible sand manipulation, he didn't know anything. She taught him how to catch and throw a kunai, shiruken, and senbons. He wasn't bad with senbons, but if that was all he had he would live. She taught him vaguely how to use a sword, and she did teach him all the handseals.

Along with body training, they had to read at least a book a day, and they soon had to make constant trips to the library. They sped through months of lessons that would have taken months at school in mere weeks. They learned to read quickly or get no dessert.

An obstacle course was designed to train their stamina, and, over the years, stealth and fitness. They had to run five miles, go through one-hundred trees without touching the ground, and then shoot a bow and arrows. They weren't aiming for perfection on the archery, but it was good to have if they had nothing else. Gaara and Naruto wanted to at least know how to use everything when they got older.

Because, of course, Naruto wanted to be Hokage.

And Gaara was ready to help him through it, get him ready.

Sparing was a little awkward, although Gaara's control over his sand was getting better. He learned that he could make sand armor, and he used that as his backup defense. They also found, that if he concentrated with all his will, he could keep the sand at bay and not have it block everything. So, because Gaara hated having his sand follow him everywhere, Benji bought him a gourd.

It was incredibly heavy, but Gaara, and Naruto, trained hard, so it wasn't too much of a hindrance to the red head. And when he started to slip behind Naruto during the running section of the course, Benji gave Naruto leg wraps to wear. She added chakra to them and they weighed him down. The two boys worked up an even greater stamina.

Benji was finicky, though, and wanted to make sure no one could bully them at the academy. So even when they were old enough to be enrolled in the academy, she didn't let them. She wanted them to be taught by her and only her. Because if she let the instructors take over, they would teach them everything wrong. She just knew it. And the boys didn't get why she wouldn't let them join, but they didn't complain. They just worked even harder, trying to get her to let them go.

And finally, one day she brought them out of training early. They drank their water in silence, looking at her; waiting for her to speak. She didn't make them wait long.

"You're ready" were the only two words she said.

"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!" They both repeated it over and over, the two looking exactly like brothers, save the hair color and whisker marks. They knew exactly what she meant.

Benji had smiled and hugged them, knowing they would do fine. After she had taken them out for new gear, though, she told them more of what would happen.

"I've enrolled you for next year. It will be maybe two weeks before you go, and I expect you to come home every day and do the Course. Then you may do homework and other activities. To make up for the two years you lost, you have to take an exam to see if you can be fit into the class where you should be placed. I know you have the talent to pass, and I know you could easily be promoted to Genin. But they want to be official and delay you even more.

But don't let that get you down. Because I know what you can do, and I know that you need to make friends of your own age. Gaara, try to loosen up a bit and branch out, and Naruto, you should be a little bit quieter. Find someone you both connect with and hope that they will be on your team in the future. But most of all, have fun!"

And that was how Naruto and Gaara came to be standing in front of the academy building, two days before anyone else was supposed to learn here, waiting nervously to take their entrance exam.

And so it continues.

Hope you like the newest chapter!

PLEASE SPREAD IT AROUND _ I WANT MORE PEOPLE TO READ IT PLEAAAAAASSSSEEEEE. -dies-

Anyways, so sorry for being such a weird person. .;;

Sorry for it being so short, too ;

I'M WORKING ON LIKE TEN THINGS AND I'M TIRED SO SHOOT ME IF YOU HATE IT- *shot*

.;; I really am on something, so just ignore me if you want .w.;;;

PS
THIS IS WHAT I'M LISTENING TO IT'S SNAZZY CHECK IT OUT :'D

http: //www. / watch?v=E7mooXZuezI&feature=rec-HM-r2