Gaara

When the team was assembled the three were not to happy to be woken up but after seeing the Hokage's face they knew it was serious. When things began to progress Kakashi spoke up.

"Who is our team leader?"

They had been silent for hours just waiting and now it was almost an hour before they had to leave.

"Me."

The blond now stood there standing in front of the three. For a moment no one spoke.

"You...you've got to be kidding? Naruto? He's only a child!"

Kakashi looked bewildered before he saw Naruto's eyes. He flinched before the other two saw his eyes before doing the same.

"I don't have to explain myself to you. Just know...what we are about to go through will change our life's."I hope. Naruto added mentally before turning to the Hokage.

"I have everything I need. We will come back within a few months. Hopefully..."Naruto trailed off before shaking his head. Looking to his two teacher and father of one of his friends he nodded to them.

"We are going to the Sand first." He wasn't going to explain anything to them. He just needed them for their minds and strength. He also knew that Jiriya had his own demons. Which he knew about.

Soon the four were properly suited and walking past the gates of the village. He had to get to Garaa. He knew what the other was going through and he wasn't going to let him grow up a murderous being. He had to prevent that first.

"We need to get there before sundown."Naruto muttered behind a mask that he was given. The four looked down to the tiny blond.

"That's impossible. The sand is a three day trip at least." Kakashi informed the smaller one who snorted softly.

"Just watch." Naruto did various hand seals and soon all four were being transported on a rather large bird. Naruto was controlling it and the three looked at the small blond shocked at how much power he held.

"No questions just do as I say." "...brat." Naruto turned looking to Jiriya who spoke giving him the dead look. But the memory of him...dying ran through his mind and he turned away his fist clenching.

"Think what you will." He bit out before his eyes set out to the rising sun.

The three went silent after seeing that display of the small Naruto. They never saw him so serious...so broken. They always saw smiles and pranks and this boy in front of him was nothing like they knew. As if he was some one else. They remained silent until for the hours ahead. When they did reach the sand Naruto released the jutsu and walked in the gates the three following him.

"We are here for one person." Naruto stated walking forward. He took of his mask and his cloak giving it to Kakashi who took them confused.

"Go hide and follow me. Make sure no one interferes." He muttered before running off. The three just doing what he said.

Naruto on the other hand knew exactly where he was going. He ran until he saw a boy holding a ball in the middle of the street looking like he wanted to cry. Naruto held back the anger before he rushed forward. Gaara looked up quickly when he heard feet and saw Naruto.

"W-Who are you?" Gaara asked taking a step back. Naruto couldn't help but smile brightly actually happy to see the red-headed boy.

"I'm Naruto Uzamaki! What's your name?" Asked the blond excitingly.

"I-I'm Gaara..." He didn't have the tattoo on his head yet. Naruto still had time.

"Well...wanna play?" Naruto offered looking at the ball Gaara held. For a moment he hesitated before nodding attentively. Naruto smiled widely before stepping close to Gaara taking his hand carefully before running off with him to find a better spot to play in.

At first Gaara didn't know what do until Naruto showed him. For the first time someone wasn't running away from him. Wasn't screaming in fear. Wasn't calling him a monster. Gaara felt tears threaten to spill as both him and Naruto laughed. For once he was happy and he was playing...

After two hours of just random games both Naruto and Gaara breathed out quickly panting to catch their breaths.

"Thank you Naruto." Gaara stated with a cute blush on his cheeks. Naruto let out a small laugh before putting one arm around the smaller boy.

"No matter what Gaara. You're my friend..." Naruto trailed off looking up to the now rising moon.

"I know how your feeling. Like no one wants you. No one loves you...feeling alone all the time knowing people want you dead." Naruto said off handily feeling Gaara's shoulders tense.

"But...no one deserves that. It isn't your fault Gaara. I know you're scared...but I'm like you." Naruto felt the smaller boy start to cry and Naruto hugged him tightly.

"You're not alone Gaara. You may not know this...but I love you. I feel like I've known you for a very long time. You're like a brother. We share the same pain...same loneliness...I'm not scared of you Gaara. I want you as my friend...will you be my brother?" Asked the young blond as he held the crying red-head.

"I-I never had t-this..." Naruto hugged him a little tighter nuzzling his cheek softly.

"Now you do..." He muttered softly.

"Come with me...I will help you. You will be able to sleep without fear. I can help you Gaara." He offered knowing that the red head would accept.

"I can? Really?" Naruto nodded softly.

"One day...you will come back to your village Gaara and they won't fear you anymore. Just promise me you will wait for that day. Don't give up on your people." Gaara only nodded before looking out to the moon.

"Come on...we can leave now if you like." Naruto whispered softly. Gaara nodded and both stood up. Hands held together Naruto led him out of the sand village. He had already sent clones out before they left the leaf village to track the other targets. They kept walking and Naruto stopped. "I brought a few people with me. We are on a mission but I knew you needed someone. Don't worry you will be safe." Naruto reassured softly as the three others joined them. Kakashi handed Naruto back his mask and cloak. Doing a quick hand seals another mask poofed into his hands and he gave it to Gaara.

"Is it safe to bring this kid?" Jiriya asked eyeing the smaller boy. Naruto held onto his hand lightly. "It's more then safe." The five soon began walking with Gaara holding onto Naruto's hand. The small red head couldn't help but smile lightly looking out. He had someone who wasn't scared of him...he believed in him.

Thank you...Naruto.

FOUR WEEKS LATER

"RUN GARAA!" Kakashi shouted as they were ambushed in a forest. It was actually a normal occurrence. They would get attacked once in a while. But that still didn't mean the older males didn't try to protect the kids. Naruto told them countless times they didn't need it before hand but that never made it to there ears. Gaara ran though saw Naruto fighting two ninjas and for a moment it looked like he was losing. But soon they dropped deep and Naruto stood up panting softly. His body wasn't use to going fighting for long periods of times but he knew he would have to get through it.

"Naru! Are you okay?" Asked a rather worried red-head. Naruto gave a toothy grin nodding.

"Of course!" Naruto had started Gaara how to fight but it would take much longer with his sand always coming out. He was helping him how to control the demon within him and his sand and so far they made some progress. Not much but some. He had the other three adults train Gaara as well as he meditated. He made sure he was in tune with nature like Jiriya taught him before he died...well he was alive an well now but still.

He had yet to go into Sage mode. He had to wait a little longer. When he faced certain people he would but they have yet to be found. Shikaku, Shikamaru's father had been studying him and watching him and Naruto knew that the older was getting the picture. He was the brains of them all really. He would help plan out what Naruto needed. Two weeks after getting Gaara they learned to do what they were ordered from the smaller boy after he proved himself capable. Which was still hard to believe. Gaara would always be with Naruto though. His sand would protect them both and he was still able to hurt people with his sand.

"Damn look out Naruto!" The blond looked up but it was to late. Someone had him by his throat and Naruto was losing air. Gaara moved to save him but he was surrounded by other ninjas. His sand came up quickly when daggers were thrown at him. Naruto saw this, saw the scared look on his face and his bled red. His hands came up turning into claws and ripped the hand off. He growled before quickly moving and killing the enemies. Soon their bodies littered the floor. Naruto went back to normal before wobbling slightly. "Naruto!" He heard them shout before his world went black.

Jiriya picked up the blond carefully.

"He over did. He needs rest. The leaf village is up ahead. It's time we rest there." Gaara moved and was placed on Jiriya's back. He didn't like being separated from Naruto. Naruto told him about the village and he was excited to go see it but only when Naruto was awake would he explore. The walk there was silent and a little grim. They were covered in blood so they didn't really look presentable. When they reached the gates they were stopped but as soon as they were recognized they were let through.

"I'll take them both to the hospital. You two go rest." Jiriya said with a grin before heading off with the two boys.

But ten minutes into the village word was out. Naruto was back and with another boy. The legendary sage was back and so was the copy nin. Along with the brilliant Nara.

Itachi had caught wind of this. He was walking Sasuke to the market hearing the news.

"I heard the demon is back. I thought he left for good." A elderly woman muttered angrily. "I heard that too. Such a waste of life. The Hokage should have had him killed." Itachi couldn't help but grow angry at their words.

Fools. All of you. You have no idea what Naruto is giving us.

"Big brother? Who are they talking about?" Sasuke asked on the back of Itachi wondering why everyone seemed angry.

"No one. I suppose we should go to the hospital. I want to see a friend." Sasuke didn't argue and watched everyone in the market as they left. In no time they were at the hospital. Itachi set Sasuke down as he requested the room of the blond boy. The nurse looked surprised but gave it to him knowing it wasn't smart to piss off the Uchiha.

"Brother? Why are we visiting him?" Sasuke asked frowning.

"Hush Sasuke." Itachi stated as they got closer to the room. Itachi slid open the door and he blinked seeing a red head sitting on the edge of the bed coloring on paper while Naruto slept on the bed. Said red head looked up and narrowed his eyes.

"Who are you?" He jumped off the bed carefully eyeing the Uchiha brothers.

"I'm Itachi. I know Naruto. This is Sasuke my younger brother." Gaara eyed them still not trusting them before moving to sit on the chair next to the bed.

"He's not awake. Pervy Sage just left to get some things." Gaara informed.

"Why is he covered in blood?" Sasuke asked moving closer to Naruto.

"We were attacked." Gaara stated simply giving the younger a blank stare.

"Who are you? You're not from the leaf." Sasuke narrowed his eyes and Gaara did the same. Itachi sighed softly rubbing his head. Two bickering children were not the best.

"Little brother it's not nice to act so rudely to him." Itachi informed before looking at Naruto. He was dirty and he assumed he would be fine. His sharigan activated as he looked at Naruto making sure he was fine. That no jutsu was placed on him.

"Ah, Uchiha. What brings you here?" Jiriya asked coming in the room.

"Heard he was back and wanted to make sure he was okay." Itachi answered nodding to the sage.

"He's fine. He needs rest right now. I'll have him visit you when he's better." Itachi nodded slightly and Sasuke made a face.

"Why would he want that thing to visit him?" Which was the wrong thing to say. Gaara's eyes flashed and his sand went out. Itachi and Jiriya were to slow to stop it but there was a gasp from Gaara. Naruto was standing in front of Sasuke protecting him from his sand causing Gaara to call it back quickly. The blond panted heavily looking to Gaara with a stupid grin on his face. "Don't attack people Gaara...no matter what they say...d-do-" He didn't finish his sentence as he collapsed yet again.

Gaara sniffled softly before using his sand to carry Naruto back onto the bed.

"I hurt brother again..." He rubbed his eyes lightly and Jiriya patted his shoulder lightly.

"He's fine. He's not mad. Only he would have a grin on his face after that." He tried to cheer up the red head. It seemed to work.

Itachi was a little disappointed in Sasuke and knew he had to teach him. He still wasn't handling their father's death well but that didn't mean he could speak so freely of things he didn't know. "Come on Sasuke." Itachi grabbed his hand gently pulling him along. Sasuke only pouted and followed him.

Two weeks later Naruto was able to walk on his own without falling. Gaara of course was able to catch him with his sand when he did. Naruto could only thank him. The two had held hands when they went to go visit Itachi. Naruto had been hesitant at first but he knew he should.

"Gaara I'll be fine. I'm just going to talk to him for a little bit." Naruto told the other smiling cheekily. Gaara held on tight not wanting to let go. Chuckling Naruto pulled back before summoning a clone.

"See I'll never leave you alone." Both Naruto's stated and Gaara smiled lightly nodding. Itachi was amused seeing this and hoped Naruto would be able to make friends with Sasuke.

"I'll be back soon Gaara. Don't hurt anyone." Naruto reminded the red headed boy before leaving with Itachi. Sasuke wanted to follow them but the clone of Naruto and Gaara stopped them.

Naruto and Itachi sat on the stone heads of the Hokages, Naruto's favorite place.

"What did you want to speak about?" Naruto asked softly looking out towards the sky watching the clouds pass them by.

"Just to see how you were." Itachi responded softly looking towards the child who shrugged slightly.

"Fine...as I can be." Naruto was solemn when he replied causing Itachi to think.

"Why don't you tell me your memories?" Itachi hoped to make Naruto smile.

"What do you mean?" Asked the nine year old tilting his head.

"From...well before you were sent back." "Oh...I have a lot of them. Like bushy brows, Shikamaru and everyone. Gaara...I made the mistake of calling him a panda back then and it was the funniest thing. He actually blushed...oh...you don't know that Gaara..." Naruto trailed off looking down at his lap before tilting his head thinking of something.

"Do you want to see? What I lived through?" Naruto asked looking to the elder of the two. Itachi was a little taken aback but all he could was nod.

"I can only show you some memories. Because of this body it will take some time to show you more. For now I'll show you who Gaara was back then. Then you'll understand why he is the way he is now." Naruto stated as he placed a hand on Itachi's and closed his eyes. For a moment he closed his eyes and opened a link between them. As if bonding them. Itachi had his eyes wide open as the memories that Naruto had of Gaara came in. How they met at the exams. What happened at the exams. Then when Gaara actually fell asleep. Showing how...unstable he was. Itachi felt what Naruto felt in those memories. How hopeless he felt for a second on saving Sasuke and Sakura before realizing that he and Gaara were the same. Then finding the strength to save Gaara too.

Itachi had never seen such a thing but now he understood why Gaara cared so much about Naruto. He was his first friend. When Naruto closed the link he was sweating slightly.

"Took a bit more than I thought it would." He said laughing.

"Did you see the one where I called him a panda?" He questioned getting a nod from Itachi who couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of that Gaara's blush.

"Have you called him one now?" Itachi looked to the blond who shook his head no.

"You saw how old I was right? Felt it at least. I can change history but...some things have to stay the same. Especially the ones with Sasuke." Naruto sighed before looking back to the clouds.

"He learned some lessons on certain missions...it made him human before the snake came. He cared...I'm going to be on his team. Team 7 when we are thirteen. Kakashi will be our teacher...I'm not sure who Sasuke will be by then but I hope it's different." Naruto sighed yawning softly.

"Damn childish body." Naruto knew if he had the chance he could redo his life. Ignore Sasuke and live for himself...but he wasn't selfish. He couldn't do that to him. Or himself. The guilt would eat him alive.

"What of you Naruto? Why are you so willing to help Sasuke?" Itachi questioned looking at the clouds as well as the wind blew gently.

"Because he's my best friend. Then again I have a lot of those...even if they don't know it yet. I would do it again if I could. If it happened to them too...I'd keep risking my life to bring them back." Itachi placed a hand on Naruto's head gently.

"When are you going to start your life?" Itachi asked and Naruto smiled yet again bitterly.

"When I make sure everyone is safe." Itachi winced and Naruto looked up quickly.

"Gaara's getting uneasy." Naruto stated standing up. Itachi nodded and both he and the blond began running back to the compound. When they got there Naruto was panting again cursing his body.

Gaara was glaring at Sasuke who was glaring back. "He made the clone go away!" Gaara accused quickly moving to Naruto who nuzzled his cheek softly. "Calm down. I'm still here. The clone told me much." He knew that showing affection to Gaara would calm him down faster than anything.

"Sasuke why did you dispel the clone?" Itachi asked his younger brother who snorted softly.

"He was annoying me." Naruto couldn't help but snort softly a light smile playing at his lips.

"Well Itachi I'll see when we come back. I'm not sure when. Come on Gaara let's get ready." He waved to the older and walked away with Gaara who turned and stuck his tongue out at Sasuke who blinked and glared angrily at him. Itachi shook his head and took two fingers poking Sasuke in the forehead who yelped softly and pouted rubbing his head quickly.

"That was mean." Sasuke muttered huffing softly.

"So was making the clone go away." Itachi retorted chuckling at Sasuke's childish behavior. With the memories of Gaara he had seen Sasuke and he was more than grateful that Naruto had risked so much of his life to make sure it didn't happen. He felt selfish though because Naruto was going through it twice and he didn't deserve. No one did. Itachi inwardly sighed and glanced out the door seeing the two boys walking from the compound. Both had gone through so much but...no one was there to save Naruto.

Shifting he picked up Sasuke and decided to go play with him. After all this could very well still happen. He wanted to spend time with him. Like the third was doing with Asuma.

It wasn't long since the team was reassembled. Shikaku was well rested and looking better. Long side with Kakashi and Jiriya. Naruto nodded to them and all five walked out of the gates and slipping on their masks.

Thank you for the reviews.