Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto in any way, shape, or form.

Naruto growled as his vision was disoriented once again by the dust from Kiba's 'fang over fang' jutsu.

Then he was knocked off his feet and into the air as one of the Kiba's collided with him.

One the bright side the hit brought him out and away from the cloud of dust… one the not so bright side he hit the ground… hard.

There was ringing in his ears, and red clouded his vision.

Not seeing much of a choice in the matter, he yanked his shirt off, ignoring the gasps that filled the room, and wiped the blood out of his eyes, before ripping a piece of the black materiel and wrapping it tightly around his head, not really knowing where the wound was, only that it was somewhere on his forehead.

He ignored the looks he was getting as he stood to face Kiba again.

Kiba was staring at him, horror and confusion evident in his expression.

"Wh- what's that?" he asked, his voice shaking.

Naruto glanced down at his stomach, it was covered in old scars, whip lashes, stab marks, and various other things, but in the very center of his stomach, was a glowing seal.

He sighed and glanced up at the third, he didn't seem too happy, but he wasn't making any move to stop the match, so Naruto simply shrugged.

"Something I've had since the day I was born." He stated simply, and it wasn't even a lie.

Kiba still looked disturbed, eyes centered on his torso, so Naruto took advantage.

Putting his hands behind his back, he focused.

20 clones appeared in a U shape around Kiba.

"Wait, what?" was all Kiba got out before both the clone and the original were knocked off their feet.

After a couple hits a poof sounded as Akamaru reappeared.

The real Kiba continued to be held down.

Naruto ran and straddled him as his clones held down his limbs.

He stared into Kiba's still shocked eyes, before punching him square in the nose, breaking it, and knocking his head into the concrete ground, giving him what Naruto would imagine to be a very bad concussion, and knocking him out cold.

Naruto stood, and waited for the match to be called in silence.

He didn't like winning this way, taking advantage of Kiba's shock and all, but he won, and that's what matters, though it did kinda suck that it ended so quickly and without a cool jutsu or anything.

"Winner, Naruto Uzumaki."

A couple claps sounded, The Third, Kakashi Sensei, Sakura, Temari and Kankuro, and of course his Gaara.

Naruto made his way back up the stairs in silence to be welcomed into Gaara's arms.

He wasn't going to even bother trying to get a healer, he knew they wouldn't come near him.

"Here."

Naruto turned to find Kankuro had removed his black hoodie and was standing in only his mesh armour tank top as he held it open, he took the hint and lifted his arms, allowing the hoodie to be slipped over his head.

The hoodie was much too big for his form, but it covered him up and it was warm.

"Thanks." he muttered, Kankuro nodded, a small smile on his face.

Naruto didn't pay any attention as the next match was called and fought, his focus was on the smell and feel of Gaara as he was held tightly.

He was brought out of his thoughts as he heard Sakura ask, "Naruto, what happened to you?"

He turned to her, confused before remembering his little reveal.

He swallowed, "I didn't have a good childhood, I don't like to dwell though, okay?" he smiled so big his cheeks hurt.

He knew Sakura wasn't totally convinced as she studied him, her gaze shrewd.

"Naruto, do you think we can hang out? After we get home and you get fixed up, maybe we could get ramen? I'll pay… and Gaara can come too, I'd like to get to know the boy who's dating my teammate."

Naruto's eyes were wide, she was not only being nice, but wanted to hang out?

Kami, she see's one little thing and now she's treating him entirely different.

"Yeah, sure we can do that."

She smiled before going back to Kakashi Sensei.

Then.

"Gaara vs Rock Lee!"

Naruto's hold tightened before he let go, sand brushing against his cheek as Gaara disappeared in it, only to reappear in the arena, before his appointment.

Naruto had grown more and more scared throughout the match.

He'd been working with Gaara since he learned about the bloodlust that laid underneath his skin, but he knew Gaara's hold and control wasn't perfect.

The match was violent and grueling, but as Naruto saw the sand snake it's way up Lee's arm and leg, he knew what was about to happen as Gaara's fist began to close.

"No! Gaara enough!" Naruto shouted, he didn't want Gaara's chances at friendship with anyone in the room to be hurt because of a small lapse in control/

He seemed to break out of it immediately as the sand dropped to the ground along with Lee as his head met the floor.

Gaara won, at more than just the match.