Disclaimer: Again, stop thinking. Although, here's where I would insert a nice, witty comment about not having one. But whatever; I promised you another chapter, and here it is!
Chapter 2
Gaara twitched, feeling someone closing in on him. It was his last teacher, Iruka-sensei. This was stupid. He didn't want to talk to this teacher; he was probably just going to talk about he didn't fit in with the other students. He'd heard it already from all the other teachers.
But, this teacher was actually going to say something different. Surprise, surprise.
"Shukaku. Seeing as you're new here, I'll pair you up for the project that's due tomorrow, and extend your due date by five days. Your partner is Uzumaki, since I know he hasn't even started his project."
Gaara turned his head to glance at the person waving wildly; it was a pretty blond boy with messy hair falling into light-blue eyes. The boy was wearing a bright orange t-shirt and tight, faded jeans. Around his neck was a black choker with a dark orange fox in the center.
Gaara noticed boy had pretty sharp nails for a kid. He glared for a moment, then looked away, choosing to stare out of the classroom for the rest of the period. What else could he do?
Naruto felt slightly put off at the new kid's reaction to him, but understood. He'd been that way, too, once upon a time.
Already, a plan was forming in his mind, one he'd get started on by the end of class. Which would be in...two second.
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!
Naruto shot up the minute the bell rang, quickly making his way over to Gaara and plopping himself down on the boy's desk.
"Hey! I'm Naruto Uzumaki! And you're Gaara! So, I was thinking you could come over to my house after school, so we could work on that project." Naruto babbled, all smiles.
Gaara decided to think about his answer, rather than replying hastily. Hm. Well, if I were to go, then I wouldn't have to return home yet. Then again, if I don't go home, I'll be punished. Here Gaara found his answer. Forget it. I'll go. I really dont want to return yet.
So deciding, Gaara looked up and nodded, noticing that the Uzumaki kid looked instantly happy.
"Great! We have to meet up with my older brother, Kyuubi, though, so he can drive us home, so you don't have to worry."
Gaara had instantly tensed up at the mention of "older brother," but he relaxed after Naruto continued speaking.
"So, let's go. He should be waiting in the parking lot right now. Oh, you dont need to get anything from your locker, do you?"
When Gaara shook his head, Naruto smiled, and waited for him to stand before leading him out of the classroom. They walked in silence, only broken when a few friends of Naruto came to talk to him. The last one to talk to him was a girl with pupilless periwinkle eyes and short, blueish black hair. She wore what looked like an eskimo jacket and capris pants.
"Um, N-Naruto, I was told to give this to you." She spoke in an extremely soft voice, almost too soft to hear. That didn't stop Naruto from speaking in his customary loud voice, though.
"Hey, thanks, Hinata! Who's it from?" He asked, taking the small folder from the short girl.
"It's f-from um, Shika. He says it's his old n-notes from geometry f-for the...for G-Gaara." She stammered, blushing.
"Thanks again! Can you go tell Shika thanks for me too?"
Hinata nodded and smiled shyly, waving a little as Naruto and Gaara continued on their way. Naruto didn't know it, but she still had a crush on him, even after all these years. But he'd never need to know that.
Naruto waved at his older brother, 18 year old Kyuubi Uzumaki, who was leaning against his bright and shiney S60 R. (I want this car so much, because it's Edward's Volvo in the Twilight movie, and it's beautiful! Sorry, continue reading)
"Hey, Kyuu! What's up, man?" Naruto asked the man who could be his twin.
Even though they weren't related, Kyuubi and Naruto were nearly identical in looks, although Kyuubi was a few inches taller. Kyuubi had that same bright yellow hair, although a shade darker. But his eyes were an eerie orange color; like Naruto, he had three parallel whiskers on his cheeks. Although, he was wearing a white shirt, and nice looking jeans.
"Naru-chan! How's my little buddy today?" Kyuubi asked cheerfully, forcibly running his hand through Naruto's hair.
Naru-chan? Gaara thought, a little shocked.
"I told you not to call me that! And you know how I am; you saw me this morning! Anyway, this is Gaara, and he and I are working a project, so he's coming over after school. Okay?"
Kyuubi ran a sharp eye over Gaara, noticing things that Gaara would prefer he didn't notice. But, suddenly, his face broke into a smile, and he nodded.
"Sure! You can sit in the back with Naruto. As long as you don't complain about my music."
Gaara shrugged, his face stoic. Naruto was still smiling as he slid into the backseat of that silver car, keeping the door open for Gaara to follow him. He did so after a few seconds of standing there.
Kyuubi slid into the front seat, putting the key in the ignition and turning. Immediately, loud music filled their ears.
It was "Pennyroyal Tea" by Nirvana. (I love that band; anyone else? Poor Kurt Cobain; he died on April 5, right? Then today's the anniversary of his death! cries)
Gaara didn't flinch at the loud music, but he did turn his head a little to listen to both of the Uzumaki's singing perfectly in tune with Kurt Cobain. Although, their voices were much more lyrical than Cobain's voice.
Kyuubi sped through the streets, with a speed and carelessness that seemed impossible. Gaara almost felt as if he would get car-sick just watching the scenery going by. Naruto didn't seem bothered by it, though.
In no time, they reached the small, three roomed house where Kyuubi, Naruto, and Kakashi lived. When Kyuubi stopped the car, Gaara exited with a sense of relief.
"Hey, Naru-chan, tell Kakashi-dad I'll be back late tonight. I've gotta work at the club, and you know how much those people like me."
Naruto snorted, but nodded, waving as Kyuubi sped off. He turned, and found Gaara staring at him.
"Kyuubi works at a night-club. During the day, he's a bartender. At night he's a...well, he's a stripper."
Gaara nodded; he didn't really care, he was just curious as to what the older kid meant. He followed Naruto inside, feeling almost instantly at home in the small house.
He noticed no one else was home yet, and relaxed. Suddenly, Naruto turned to him, a determined look on his face.
"The bathroom's over here. If you need to go to the bathroom, go ahead. I'll grab a fresh towel for you to shower with, and a washcloth."
Naruto turned, but stilled when Gaara suddenly reached out and shackled his wrist.
"What do you think you're doing?" Gaara hissed, angry.
Naruto turned, and sighed when he saw the look on the redhead's face.
"Well, I guess I'd better tell you my story, or you won't trust me. Come on, let's sit on the couch."
Gaara followed Naruto into the small living room that connected to the kitchen, sitting on the plaid sofa while Naruto took the recliner.
"Hm. Well, I guess to start I'd better tell you I used to live on the streets. I'd been living on them for seven years..."
And I'll stop there; it's getting a bit long. The next chapter will be Naruto's sob story. I hope it doesn't get too bad. Anyway, I'll post it tonight, because basically this idea is fresh, so expect it in about an hour! Please keep reading, and please keep reviewing! I love all of you who've reviewed so far!
Ayame