Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I do not and never will own Naruto

Naruto had been sick for three days. He really wished that Iruka would come home, he felt really alone. Beside for few phone calls here and there Naruto hadn't had anything to do with Gaara in days. To be honest Naruto was getting worried about his best friend. Looking over to the clock Naruto noticed that school was almost done for the day.

'I really hope Gaara stops by today'

Slowly getting out of bed Naruto headed towards the bathroom. He was feeling better but was surprisingly still very tired. Once on the bathroom he peeled off his sweaty dirty pajamas and started the shower. He hadn't even gotten out of bed except for emergency reasons; it was his first showers in days. Letting the hot water run down his body helped release all the soreness and stiffness caused by his flu and days in bed. After washing up and taking more time to enjoy the hot water he finally shut the water off and got out feeling refreshed. In another day or two he would be well enough to go back to school. At that thought he frowned, he really didn't like school but knew it was a necessary evil. Getting into a clean pair of pajamas he grabbed a comforter and went to the living room to watch TV. Not long after he heard the front door open. Getting excited, hoping it was Gaara; he went as quickly as he could towards the front door. Instead of greeting Gaara he got a stack of paper whipped in his face.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM!" Naruto screeched at Sasuke.

"YOU ARE DUMBFUCK!" Sasuke yelled back. "All the teachers know I'm staying here, so they decided to make me your little errand boy"

"THAT'S NOT MY FAULT! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO GET FUCKIN' PISSED AT ME!"Naruto was really pissed. He normally was an emotion person but being sick made it even worse.

"YA IT IS, IF YOU WEREN'T SO PATHETIC AND ACTUALLY WENT TO SCHOOL I WOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH YOU!"

Clenching his fist Naruto was getting ready to punch Sasuke. Sasuke noticed and without hesitating balled his own fist and struck first. But before his hand made contact with Naruto's face something grabbed Sasuke by the arm and yanked him back making him collide with the wall behind him.

"If you ever try to hit Naruto again you will regret it."

Pissed of Sasuke didn't reply he just pushed himself off the wall and went to his room, locking the door.

"WHY'D YOU DO THAT?" Naruto yelled at his friend."I COULD'VE HANDLED HIM MYSLEF."

Quirking an eyebrow, amused. "Really?" Gaara asked.

"DAMN STRAIGHT!"

Deciding not to argue Gaara went to pick up the forgotten papers off the floor and headed for the kitchen. Tossing them onto the counter he then reached in his bag to pull out similar ones that he then placed next to them.

"You know school just started and you have already missed more days then you have attended.

Grinning Naruto plopped himself in a chair. "Who needs to go to school when they have friends like you" With that Naruto started copying Gaaras' homework.

Later that evening

"He HAS to leave Iruka I can't stand it he is such a fucking prick all he does is insult me or stayed locked up in his room, I won't be treated like this in my own house!" Naruto wailed into the phone.

"Excuse me, it's MY house and you will just have to live with it. I'll be home in less than two weeks. Your 17 years old and should be mature enough to deal with the situation. It's time you grew up and figured out you don't always get what you want." Iruka yelled back then promptly hung up.

Grinding his teeth and shaking the phone Naruto wanted to punch Sasuke again. 'This is all his fault that stupid asshole!'

"Uummm… I don't think Iruka would be happy if you broke his phone." Gaara monotonously warned.

Tossing the phone on the couch Naruto crossed his legs and pouted. He really felt it wasn't fair that he had to deal with Sasuke for another nine days. Living under the same roof with him meant that someone would definitely be dead or seriously injured by the end of it. Ever since he had arrived at School in third grade out of all the people who were mean to him Sasuke was the worse or maybe he just noticed it more from him. Aside from Gaara, Sasuke was a person that had interested him when he first arrived. He had wanted to be friends with him but Sasuke made it clear he didn't feel the same.

As Naruto sat there brooding Gaara waited patiently. He knew that behind all that energy and smiles that Naruto was a serious, sensitive person. All the jokes and hyperness was away to keep people at bay. And having someone who was constantly mean to him and put him down under the same roof as him had to be hard. Naruto wasn't capable of hate; it was one of the things that made Gaara proud to be his friend. But being hated hurt more then you could imagine especially when Naruto didn't know why. If people would look pass his energetic crazy self they would see the loyal caring person they were missing out on.

"Gaara?"

Turning to look at Naruto he waited for Naruto to finish his question.

"Can we go get some ice cream?"

Not being able to hide the smile Gaara stood up and headed for the door. Happily Naruto bounced after him racing to the car and jumping in. The drive was silent but not uncomfortable. But Naruto's good mood quickly diminished when he saw that Neji, Ino, Hinata and Sakura were at the ice cream shop also. He really didn't want to deal with them. They were able to get seated and eat half the ice cream before Ino and Sakura came over to bother them. Sakura pushed her way next to Naruto in the booth and Ino leaned over Gaara's seat.

"Ssooo…where's Sasuke?" Sakura all but purred in his ear scooting closer to Naruto.

Taking a second Naruto moved as close to the wall as he could he bit out "How the hell would I know I'm not his babysitter"

"Jeez, no need to be so rude Naruto." Ino bitched.

"I can be anything I want so why don't you leave me the hell alone."

"It's a free country, make me" Ino sneered while Sakura giggled.

"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!" Naruto yelled, making every one into the shop quite.

"HEY! Why are you yelling at them? Do you want to start something?" Neji Growled showing up behind Ino.

Naruto glaring at Neji stood up; he was in a bad mood and figured this be as good a target as any for receiving it. Copy Naruto, Gaara stood up also ready to back up his friend, but before any had a chance to do anything a new voice entered the scene.

"Ne-Neji, pl-lease don't fight."Hinata timidly asked pulling on his sleeve.

Neji gave one last good glare then turned putting an arm around Hinata and walking out the door. Sakura and Ino quickly followed behind. Hinata and Neji were cousins. They both lived with Hinata's parents because Neji's father passed away a few years ago. When they were younger Hinata and Neji never got along but now they were almost inseparable. Neji always put Hinata first as did Hinata for Neji. Out of the group the only person who treated Naruto decently. Seeing a bond like that made Naruto feel empty, he wished he had family to be close to like that.

"Gaara, can we go home?"