Disclaimer: Again, not owning. But, here's the next chapter; like I said, I was on a roll! I hope it doesn't turn out too angsty.

Chapter 3

Previously:

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..."

Present:

"I didn't have a home; my parents died when I was three years old. Relatives took care of me for a few yars, then decided I wasn't worth the trouble. So they abandoned me. This gang, called Sharingan, was headed by the Uchiha brothers. Well, really Itachi Uchiha, because he was the elder. Anyway, Sasuke found me by the dumpster where I'd been staying, and brought me before Itachi, who decided to make me a member. They taught me all about pickpocketing, stealing, the works. They even taught me how to kill. I was with them for a year before they gave me their sign, this."

Here Naruto paused in his story-telling, pulling down his shirt collar to show a tattoo on his neck. It was a circular red eye with three black petals set in a perfect triangle around the black-ringed pupil. Gaara stared at it for a few minutes, before nodding, silently telling Naruto to continue.

"Well, anyway, like I said, they took me in. I became Itachi's right hand man; he considered me his brother, second only to Sasuke. I didn't really like him, though; he brought in a lot of the money, but I didn't like the ways he made it. He used sex as his way, and usually went for the older, male types. Like this guy, Orochimaru. Ew. Oh, anyway. So, yeah, I lived with them for seven years."

Naruto paused, got up, and stalked into the kitchen. He went into the fridge and drew out the milk carton, drinking straight from the top. He offered some to Gaara, who just shook his head. Sighing, Naruto took the carton with him back to the sofa.

"Okay, so anyway, the Sharingan was ambushed in that seventh year. It was horrible. Orochimaru sent his men into our headquarters; apparently, he wanted Sasuke as his own. And that bastard went with him! He even helped that snake to kill everyone! The only ones who survived were me and Itachi. I wouldn't have, actually, if Itachi hadn't managed to get me out in time. He pushed me into the sewer hole, which ran through our headquarters. I don't know what's happened to him since; I haven't heard from him."

Naruto shuddered, remembering that fateful day. Sasuke's betrayel, the rage in Itachi's bloodied face, and Itachi's worried eyes watching him as he slid down that hole. Forcefully, he pushed those memories back, only to make way for even worse ones.

"It got worse after that. One of Orochimaru's men found me; Kabuto. He decided he needed a new pet. So he took me with him. But I didn't want to stay with him. So I constantly fought him. He didn't like it, so he beat me, using anything he could. Whips, knives, steel-toed boots, and cigarettes. I've got scars all over my body from him. But I didn't want to submit; I wouldn't do that to Itachi."

"It was pure luck that Kyuubi, who Kabuto was also keeping at that time, found me. He was in the cell a little ways down; he'd refused to stop being Kabuto's sex toy, and was put in there for punishment. He managed to break out using his claws, which we both grew long for protection. He took me with him only because we felt a kinship to one another. I was surprised how much we looked alike, but I didn't trust him. I wouldn't let him touch me. But he understood. And, he took care of me. I knew how to take care of myself, but I was kinda broken, after all those beatings I took."

"We were back on the streets. Kyuubi wasn't really used to it, but I managed to get food for us. Kakashi-dad found us one night; I was trying to steal his wallet. He caught me, and something, he hasn't yet told me what, caused him to take pity on us. He took us in, and adopted us. He even enrolled us in school. It's been hard, but I can talk about it now, and I'm okay with it. Although, I've made a vow that if I ever see Sasuke again, I'll kill him."

Naruto spoke fiercely, his whiskers seeming me dominant in his face. Gaara blinked; he hadn't realized he'd gotten so close during the retelling. But now he understood. He and Naruto were kindred spirits; they'd been through nearly the same things in life.

Although it wouldn't happen right away, Gaara realized he had someone he could now trust, someone he could possible lived with.

And, for the first time in his life, he felt something inside him settling, calming. It was a good feeling, and he wanted more.

Naruto smiled, settling himself back against the recliner. He felt almost exhilerated, as if telling Gaara what had happened had lifted a weight off his shoulders. How odd.

"So? Do you want to take a shower now?" He asked, still smiling.

"..."

Gaara seemed to take a long time to think about it, before he nodded. Standing, he followed Naruto into the bathroom, staring at something he hadn't seen in nearly two years. A shower.

A shower. It seems like heaven to even think about taking one! I wasn't allowed such liberties at home.

The blond boy twisted the nobs in the shower, putting it on a little warmer than normal. He figured Gaara would like it that way.

Naruto hung the towel up on the rack, before turning to Gaara. "Well, here you go. The washcloths are under the sink, and there's already soap and shampoo in the shower. You can go ahead and get in; Kakashi-dad won't get home for a few hours, so it's okay to leave the door open. I'll go get you some of my clothes now."

Gaara waited until Naruto left before closing the door, although he left it a few inches ajar. He couldn't get out of his clothes fast enough! Once he was finally naked, he left the clothes in a heap on the floor, stepped into the shower, and closed the white shower curtain with baby foxes on it.

The shower spray felt amazing. He could feel a layer of grime coming off just in the water! Looking down, he grabbed the bar of soap, and lathered up the red washcloth he found. Cleaning the dirt from his arms felt better than anything else in the world, and the same with his legs.

He shiverd; this was definitely heaven. Especially when he got to his hair. The lime scented shampoo felt great as he cleaned his hair, lifting dirt and grease from his scalp.

Oh, dear God. I can't believe I went so long without this. He thought, nearly letting out a groan. Heaven... He breathed in his mind, not even noticing the door closing with a soft click.

He stayed in teh shower for over half an hour, just allowing himself time to soak in the spray. When he finally got out, he was shaking not only with hunger, but with ecstasy.

The fluffy towel felt good against his now squeaky clean skin, and so did the new, freshly scented clothes. It was an over-sized black t-shirt and the smallest jeans Naruto had, which were still a few sizes too big. Unfortunately, the boxers were black, with orange swirls on them. There weren't any socks, but he didn't care.

Gaara grasped the vial of sand around his neck for comfort, before opening the bathroom door. He heard Naruto call from the kitchen,

"Just leave your clothes in there for now. Are you hungry? I made ramen; it's quick and easy to eat. But, there's also a salad, if you want it."

Gaara's stomach tightened; the mention of food made him realize how long he hadn't eaten. But he walked quietly and slowly to the kitchen, where Naruto was seating two smoking bowls of beef ramen and a large bowl of iceberg salad with french dressing.

Gaara took the bar stool next to Naruto, staring dubiously at the bowl before him. But, seeing Naruto practically inhaling his bowl, he picked up the chopsticks, and hesitantly took a bite. It was hot, but it tasted so good, and he eagerly took another bite. Pretty soon, he was inhaling his food just as fast as Naruto.

They were done in less than a minute.

"Salad now?"

Gaara nodded, and inhaled his salad, sprinkled deliciously with french dressing, next. Naruto didn't feed him any more, for fear of making him sick. After all, if you haven't eaten in a long time, eating too much for the first time will make you sick.

"Okay, good. Milk? Or orange juice?"

Gaara chose the latter, and drank at a much slower pace.

"Okay, now you're probably tired." Gaara shook his head; he never slept. "Alright then, how about a game? Let's play LIFE!" (gosh, I love that game!)

Gaara sighed, but nodded, and, leaving their dishes, went into the living room, where they played the boardgame on the coffee table.

They were still there when Kakashi showed up an hour and a half later.

And there it is! Not too angsty, was it? And yes, I hate Sasuke, Orochimaru, and Kabuto. They're all gay. Seriously. So, next chapter Kakashi finally shows his face! And Gaara's learning to trust! Well, only Naruto, but whatever. Please review for me! I'll give you cookies if you do!

Ayame