Disclaimer: I don't really feel like going over this so you can just refer to the last chapters for the disclaimer. Although, I am telling you this: new story up, in case you didn't know. It's called What Dreams May Come; I happen to think it's going quite well. And, others think so too. There's also Trapped, which is also going well too.

Chapter 7

Naruto continued to glare at Kankuro even after he stepped back, still pissed at the condition he found his new friend to be in. It was unacceptable; no human should be put into the hospital with wounds from their father. He'd found out earlier that Gaara had three broken ribs and two bruised ribs, severe cuts everywhere, and wounds on his back that needed to be dressed with bandages. A few old wounds that had reopened and widened further needed to even be sewed shut. It was horrible, and every single one of them was inflicted by his father.

He was trying to figure out now if Kankuro helped the Kazekage with it. But, by the look on the man's face, that was unlikely. And the fact that he started to defend himself almost immediately after he calmed himself.

"No, I didn't do this. Nor did I help our father with it. I never have. I may act like I hate my brother, but that's all just an act. After all, I don't want our father to hate me, and turn his anger out on me."

He really shouldn't have added that last comment. Naruto grew madder when he heard that last part. "So you just decided to let your little brother take all the heat? What the hell's wrong with you?! That isn't what family should do!"

Kankuro stepped back; the kid had a point, but he didn't need to shout it. He almost said something to that effect, but Naruto wouldn't let him. He continued speaking, oblivious to the blond girl that slipped into the room.

"I can't believe you! You're sickening. You can't defend yourself against an abusive father, and so in order to keep yourself safe and clean, you allow your father to do this to your brother. That's so wrong. Well, let me tell you this: once he's allowed to leave the hospital, I'm taking him with me. I'm not allowing him to live in that home any longer. And I don't care what you say to try to convince me otherwise."

Temari, the blond who'd come into the room just moments ago, stepped foreword to defend her younger brother, and herself invariably. "Hey! What gives you the right to decide something like that?! You aren't a member of his family, therefore you don't have the authority to take him out of his home!"

Naruto turned to glare at her, and she stiffened at the look of utter hatred in his dark eyes. "What right have you to question me like that? What right have you to keep one who is your own flesh and blood in an environment that is likely to kill him in a matter of time? What right have you-" He would have continued speaking, but there was a swift knock on the hospital door.

It opened without anyone bothering to answer it; it was Kakashi. He stopped at the strong tension in the room, glancing from one occupant to the other. Finally, his black eye settled on Naruto, and stayed there.

"Naruto, Kyuubi and I were getting a little bit worried; you seemed to be taking a long time here. Are you ready, or is there something I need to take care of?" He asked with his ever-present smile.

Naruto felt himself calm without wanting to; his adopted father had always had that effect on him. He sighed, feeling tense muscles relax some. "There shouldn't be anything holding me up, but it appears the family of Gaara aren't going to give him up easily. His supposed brother and sister here refuse to release him simply because he takes the brunt of their father's anger!" His voice slowly rose, and by the end of his little speech he was practically shouting.

Kakashi stared at the man in black and the blond woman, before turning his bi-colored eyes to the bandaged figure on the bed. He sighed, but couldn't stop the real smile that came to his face when he spoke. "Now look, Naruto, you've awoken Gaara. What have you to say for yourself?"

Naruto turned instantly to the hospital bed, his face lighting up when he saw that Gaara was indeed awake and staring at him with a mixture of confusion and something else that he couldn't define. He stopped himself before he could rush over to the bed, but didn't bother keeping the happiness out of his voice when he spoke.

"Gaara! You're awake! I'm so happy about that! The doctors were worried, and…." Naruto paused, noticing that Gaara had raised a hand and was motioning him foreword with a finger. "Yeah? You want something?" He asked, walking over and bending down to Gaara's face.

Gaara pulled him down farther by grabbing his hair and pulling out, before managing to say between gritted teeth, "Your damn voice woke me up when I was actually sleeping. Do you know how pissed that makes me right now?!"

Naruto smiled sheepishly, reaching back a hand to dislodge the surprisingly soft hand in his hair. "Sorry about that. You wanna know what pisses me off?" Before the other could answer, he continued. "Your family. They're full of bastards."

"Hey!" Two indignant cries sounded, but these two ignored them.

Gaara just stared at him for all of ten seconds, before turning his head away. "Yes, they piss me off too." He said softly, almost too soft to hear. But, of course, Naruto heard him.

"Great! Then you won't object when I ask you to move in with me!"

Wait, what? Gaara was so stunned he couldn't speak as Naruto turned and gave Kakashi a thumbs up. The older man just smiled, giving a wink to the two stunned siblings.

"Then it's settled! Gaara, I'll be bringing you to my house when you're released, and I imagine you don't have anything of value at your house. Well, if you do, then Kyuubi and I will just go get it! I would take Kakashi, but he needs to stay home in case your father comes looking for you. So, how about you get some rest? Oh, wait; what exactly do you need from your house?"

Gaara figured out instantly that it was pretty much useless to argue when someone was so determined to have their way. Grimacing as he turned over onto his side, he mumbled in a low voice, "My gourd. All I need is my gourd."

Naruto nodded, grinning. "Awesome! Kakashi, you heard him, right? So I'm going to go get Kyuubi; you stay here with him. You two had better lead me to your house, or I'll kill you both. I'm not kidding." Naruto's voice once again became unnaturally dangerous, and the siblings gulped audibly.

"Of-of course! We'd be happy to take you to our house!" Temari almost stuttered. Kankuro nodded eagerly.

Kakashi seated himself beside the hospital bed, pulling out his book "Ichi Ichi Paradise" while he waited for the others to get back. Before long, he was giggling like a girl and blushing.

Kankuro followed silently behind Naruto, who was practically skipping down the hospital hall. Temari stood next to him. Before long, they came to a slightly older version of Naruto with darker hair and eyes, who walked over to meet them.

"Where's the kid?" He asked, seeing that Naruto didn't have the kid he remembered.

"He has to stay here for a while, obviously. We're going with these two, here, to get Gaara's gourd from his house, which is the only thing he needs."

Kyuubi nodded, accepting this. "Then lets go. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave."

Naruto grinned still, before leading the rest to Kyuubi's car. Of course, there was Pearl Jam playing in the background while they drove to the Kazekage's house; he was, thankfully, not home.

"So, where's Gaara's room?" Naruto asked.

"Here. It's the farthest for, well, obvious reasons."

Naruto frowned but walked into the room; he felt the urge to retch at the awful smell permeating the whole interior. It was horrible! Apparently they didn't even bother cleaning anything in his room! But of course not; why would they? Sighing, Naruto spotted the gourd on the bed; he went over to pick it up.

Almost instantly he fell back down. "Mon Dieu! Why the hell is this so heavy?" He cried, causing Kyuubi to come see what was wrong. "Help me carry this, Kyuu!"

Kyuubi scrunched up his nose but nodded, helping to lift the gourd onto his shoulder. It really was heavy! But they managed it, and walked into the hall. They were almost out the door, with Kankuro trailing behind them, when trouble reached them.

It came in the form of the Kazekage, who was waiting for them in the doorway.

"What is the meaning of this?! Who are you people?!"

Na na na na na! What's going to happen between Naruto and the Kazekage?! I wonder….But seriously, aren't you so happy Gaara's finally leaving?? I am! Well, anyway, please review for your ever-loving author here, and watch for more updates!

Ayame