Hello everybody! I'm back with another chapter of jaj!
:3 This is just another short chapter continuation about Gaara taking care of Naruto. Though I gave a tiny bit of back story to Gaara in this one. I'm beginning to set everything up, you know all the interesting juicy parts that make stuff fun. So watch out for hints pertaining to Naruto's and Gaara's pasts coming up in the next few chapters.
My next chapter will be about something else I promise! I'm thinking...maybe Sasuke will get his own chapter and I'll try to make it longer than these last few. Anyway! Thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews! They're so kind they always make me blush. I am really happy to hear that you are all enjoying the story! I'm trying very hard to make it worth your time. :D Thank you for reading! It means alot to me. :$ Please enjoy this chapter! And as always :D I'd love to hear what you thought of it!

Love FanggirlX

Naruto was asleep when Gaara returned to the bedroom. The redhead looked down at the soup he'd made and frowned. He supposed it could sit in the pot on the stove, as long as he kept it on low.

Just as he was leaving, Naruto stirred. The smell of food waking him.

"Mmm…Gaara…?" he called sleepily.

Gaara smirked with satisfaction. Finally, the idiot had the right name.

Naruto opened his eyes fully and struggled to sit up. "What's that?", he asked, indicating the tray in Gaara's hands.

Gaara glanced down at it, as if he needed a reminder as to what it was.

"Soup. For you."

Naruto smiled brightly, "Awesome! I've never been made soup before!"

Gaara felt a bit sad at this. He'd always thought his life had been rough. But now he was learning…there were fates worse than his. Naruto had grown up dealing with some of the same issues. Never being good enough. Never being cared for.

If it hadn't been for Gaara's sister, he'd have had nothing really…but Temari had worked her ass off to salvage what she could of his childhood essence. When he'd been sick, from not sleeping, she'd rub his face with a cool cloth and make him soup to feel better. She'd rub his back to soothe his nightmares when he did sleep. She'd fix him his favorite foods to cheer him up after a hard wondered, if Naruto had ever had anyone do these things for him.

He brought the tray over and set it in Naruto's lap.

Naruto took a huge whiff of it in and sighed happily, "This smells great, Gaara! Where'd you learn to cook?"

Gaara stared at him. What an odd question… "My house." he replied, unable to look at him when he spoke.

Naruto chuckled, "No, I uh, I meant who taught you?"

With a single nod, Gaara answered, "My sister."

"Oh wow!" Naruto exclaimed after taking a sip of the soup. "This is amazing! Your sister really knows how to cook!"

Gaara let a ghost of a smile touch his face. Temari had been a wonderful cook. She'd be pleased to know someone approved of her get well soup. It supposedly had all the nutrients a sick person needed to get better faster. "She did." he agreed, nodding.

Naruto frowned, glancing at Gaara he whispered, "I'm sorry. I…didn't know."

Gaara shrugged, "How could you?"

Naruto nodded, yet still looked troubled, still looked sad.

Deciding that words were the way to cheer the boy up, given what had happened last time he'd spoken a fair bit to the boy, Gaara said, "She'd be pleased to know you like it. She enjoyed showing off her talents."

Naruto smiled, "Well this was definitely one of them if this is her recipe. And you have the same talent! You may have followed her recipe but you still made it taste great! Some people, no matter how good the recipe, they screw up anything they cook. I'd be in that category, actually." The blonde laughed.

Gaara stood to leave but Naruto called after him, his voice suddenly unsure. "Will…will you stay? I'm kinda lonely up here…"

Gaara nodded and then left anyway.

Naruto stared after him, making a face of disbelief. He'd said he'd stay…yet he walked on out…

Seconds later, Gaara was back and Naruto tried to quit sulking.

Hooking his thumb over his shoulder to point back to the kitchen downstairs, Gaara said, "Stove was still on."

Naruto made a silent 'ah' and began eating again.

Gaara walked around the bed and sat down on the other side. Scooting further onto it, Naruto realized he was back in the spot he'd been in this morning when he'd woken up.

"Oh yeah. That reminds me. Do you need to go home for a change of clothes or anything? I can uh, I can handle a car ride I'm sure."

"Motorcycle." Gaara corrected.

Naruto frowned, "Oh yeah… that's right…"

"I don't need clothes." Gaara said, trying to make the blonde quit pouting.

"But you slept in those…" Naruto said, his voice sounding very sulky.

Gaara shook his head once, "No. I don't sleep."

Naruto stared at him, shocked. "You don't sleep…like ever? Isn't that unhealthy? Isn't that half the reason I'm sick?"

Gaara nodded, "Yes. My body got used to it."

Nodding his understanding, Naruto muttered, "Well damn, you got me beat. I bet you never got sick like this, huh?"

"I did." Gaara informed him. "My sister cared for me, as I'm doing for you."

Naruto blushed. He knew the way Gaara had meant "care for" and knew that it meant take care of, not… I care for you…but still the words made him blush like a young girl.

"Thanks, Gaara."

Gaara gave a nod as his reply.

When Naruto had finished half of the soup he looked beside him at the redhead who was stoic and silently staring at the wall in front of them. He wanted Gaara to talk more. His voice had a nice sound to it, and it was actually soothing to hear. It helped Naruto to relax. He'd always liked having people talk to him.

"Gaara?" he said softly.

The gothic boy slid his gaze to stare at Naruto.

Suddenly feeling shy, now that Gaara's ever intense gaze was on him, Naruto laughed nervously. "Um…why did you stop sleeping?"

Gaara let his gaze drift back to the wall, and he sat in silence so long Naruto felt sure the boy was just gonna blow off the question. Then…he finally replied. "First, for protection. Then, for peace of mind." the redhead answered, his voice hardly above a whisper.

"Protection?" Naruto asked, truly curious.

However, Gaara simply nodded, and provided no further insight into his past.

Guessing that the guy wasn't ready to talk about that Naruto tried to change subjects, "How come you don't try to get to know people at school?"

"I don't want to." was Gaara's quiet, nearly immediate reply.

"Oh…but you offered me a ride…so…you want friends, right?" Naruto asked, trying to understand the redheaded boy.

Gaara shook his head, "You're different."

Blushing, Naruto laughed nervously, "I am? How so?"

Gaara turned his head slowly to stare at Naruto, looking him straight in those captivating blue eyes. Naruto stared into his eyes, face expectant, he was waiting for Gaara's response. After a drawn out moment of eye contact, Gaara turned his head back and continued staring at the wall. "Because of that." Gaara said.

Naruto scratched his head, confused. "But I didn't do anything."

Gaara shook his head, "You did."

Naruto remained doubtful, "Yeah? What?"

"You didn't look away."

The answer caught Naruto off guard, but it clicked quickly as to why that would matter to Gaara. The goth was a very intimidating figure with a dangerous reputation, naturally people wouldn't hold eye contact with him, they hardly ever even approached him much less talked to him. So Naruto understood now. He was different because he'd tried giving Gaara a chance. Because he held his gaze and spoke with him like he wasn't capable of killing him with his pinky toe, though…Naruto felt very sure if the need arose, Gaara could in fact do such a thing.

"I get it. Ok, so cool. That's why I'm different." Naruto said, slurping more of the soup.

"No."

Naruto looked to the redhead who'd just spoken. "But I thought…that's what you said."

"That is the reason why I gave you a chance." Gaara explained, trying to keep his patience. "You are different, simply because you are."

With a frown, Naruto asked, "But…different isn't bad, right? Like, you're not secretly insulting me are you?"

Gaara glanced at him and then said, "When I insult you, it won't be a secret."

Naruto smiled uneasily, it was things like that…that made Gaara seem scary.

"No. Different's not bad. It's…refreshing." Gaara added upon seeing Naruto's downtrodden face.

Naruto brightened up. "I see."

Several minutes ticked by as the two sat in relative silence, only a few sounds entering the still air from time to time.

Gaara sighed.

It brought Naruto's eyes to the redhead. He seemed, restless.

"You alright?" Naruto asked, accidentally letting a yawn slip out.

Gaara noticed and glared at the blonde. "Rest."

"But-"

"Rest." Gaara reiterated.

Bowing his head, Naruto pouted, "Right…"

Gaara stood and took the tray from Naruto. He walked out of the bedroom and Naruto wished he hadn't. He really did become clingy when he was sick. He needed company, he needed someone with him, or he had all these horrible awful feelings and memories hang over him like a cloud.

Just as he was beginning to feel the pressure from aforementioned cloud, Gaara returned, as did Naruto's smile.

"Hey ,so I was thinking we could watch a movie or something. Cuz…I don't really wanna sleep anymore. It seems like a waste when I have company over, you know?" the blonde said, hoping Gaara had a soul and agreed.

Gaara's eyes narrowed. No. No, Gaara does not have a soul, he is in fact a soulless Nazi for sick people.

"Rest." he snapped, sitting back down on the bed beside Naruto.

Naruto frowned, "But…you look so bored."

Gaara quirked an eyebrow at Naruto. "I rarely change facial expressions."

Naruto stared at him. Ah. So…he was aware of this fact? Interesting…

"How can you tell if I'm bored or not?" Gaara added, seemingly amused.

With a shrug Naruto mumbled, "You keep sighing and staring at the wall… you look like you don't want to be here."

Gaara scoffed, "Stupid. If I didn't want to be, I wouldn't be."

The grumpy sounding Nazi leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes.

Naruto pointed at his face, though Gaara couldn't see it. "Hey, I thought you don't sleep."

"I don't."

"But you look like you're going to sleep." Naruto argued.

Letting out another sigh, Gaara replied, "I am ignoring you. You will eventually fall asleep."

Naruto glared at the redhead, "That's rude. Ignoring a sick guy…"

Gaara opened one eye and saw the sad look on Naruto's face.

Leaning forward, Gaara revealed to him, "I want to smoke. But you're sick."

Gaara was so uneasy, he was dying for a cigarette actually. He needed it to calm him and his nerves. He was uncomfortable being the source of someone's comfort and he was worried for Naruto's health since the fever was refusing to lessen. Also, it was weird being a care taker of someone, usually he caused pain and brought punishment to people…whether they deserved it or not. But with Naruto, Gaara was working hard to make conversation to make him feel better, he was taking care of him, seeing to it that Naruto's sickness did not get worse.

Naruto chuckled, "If that's all it is. Go ahead. I don't mind."

Gaara glared at him before looking away. "Your body will mind. Now rest."

An icy hot feeling flooded Naruto. Having once had an addiction to something himself, Naruto understood how difficult it could be to withstand the cravings. Yet, because it would make him sicker, Gaara was restraining. And Naruto had selfishly requested his presence, so Gaara could not even leave to go smoke outside for a moment…

"You know…" Naruto said, ducking his head so far that his bangs actually hid his shame filled face, 'If you want… you can go…"

"Rest." Gaara said, clearly ignoring Naruto's attempt at selflessness.

"But I was serious. If you need to go smoke, I'll be fine." Naruto lied.

The goth twisted so that his upper body was facing Naruto. He leaned in close and stared directly into Naruto's eyes. "I said rest. I am not so weak that I cannot survive a day without smoking."

Naruto blushed. Whether it was the close proximity of Gaara's face to his or the fact that Gaara was trying so hard to be nice to him. Honestly…it was probably both.

"K…sorry. I wasn't trying to say you were weak…just trying to be nice…" Naruto mumbled.

Gaara nodded and returned to his previous position of leaning against the wall with his legs out in front of him, one laying flat and the other bent upward so that one arm could rest on the top of his knee.

He looked completely at ease, Naruto marveled at how comfortable Gaara must be with himself to sit on another guy's bed with the other guy and relax like that…

Gaara was trying to count backwards from ten. Temari had always made him do it when he was younger. She'd said it would calm him down and distract his mind. It hadn't truly worked then, and it wasn't working now. Damn it to hell. The blonde could be infuriating!

"I was serious about wanting to watch a movie with you too… I fell asleep during the one you actually enjoyed… you hated the first one I made you watch… and I hate wasting your company like this…" Naruto muttered.

Gaara bit back a sigh, not wanting to give the blonde the wrong idea again. "If you rest and get better from this I will take you to see a movie."

Naruto gasped, jerking his eyes up to stare at Gaara. "What?"

"Get better and I will take you to see any movie you wish." Gaara said again, hating just how much this blonde made him repeat himself.

"R-really? But movies are so expensive these days… that's why I don't go see them… I couldn't do that to you, Gaara. I'll just quit acting like a child and rest like I'm supposed to. I'm being stupid anyway." Naruto stuttered out.

Gaara growled, "Quit prattling on like that. I told you, you're fine."

"But-"

"If you feel like a child, act like it. Act how you feel. Stop thinking what you feel is stupid. It's not. It's fine."

Naruto shook his head, "I'm not I-"

"And quit being rude. I am being kind. Accept my gift and shut up." Gaara snapped, a tone of finality in his voice.

Taking the hint from Gaara's tone Naruto nodded, "Sorry… I-"

Gaara sighed and placed a hand on Naruto's head, checking for his temperature. All these outbursts may actually make it worse if he uses too much energy on useless things like this. The contact shut Naruto up. He just stared into the face of Gaara, who was too busy focusing on Naruto's fever to notice he was being stared at.

Naruto's face heated with the blush he couldn't control and he bet Gaara was thinking he was going die because of how hot he felt…

Gaara frowned and got up.

Naruto watched him leave, wondering what treasure he'd bring back this time. Nearly every time Gaara had left the room, he'd brought something back.

He did not disappoint. Gaara walked back in with a small bowl and a wet wash cloth.

"Lay down." Gaara ordered.

Stunned to see what Gaara was planning to do Naruto obeyed. No one had ever taken care of him, and he'd never even dreamt someone would to this extent.

Gaara lay the cool damp cloth on Naruto's forehead and set the bowl on the nightstand. Naruto watched the redhead walk over to his dresser and pull out an actual pajama top, a blue and white striped short sleeved shirt that buttoned up the front.

He came back over and removed the cloth, laying it in the bowl of shallow water.

"Take off your shirt." Gaara instructed.

Naruto blushed and laughed nervously. "Heh, heh, geez, Gaara… so forceful…" , he teased.

Gaara did not see the humor. "You refuse to take care of yourself properly. Force is necessary with you."

Naruto sat up and tugged his shirt off.

He was about to lay down but Gaara stopped him. "Stay like this."

Nodding Naruto sat silently, still stunned.

Gaara picked the rag up and rung it out before bringing it to Naruto's sweaty back. Once again showing just how gentle he could be, Gaara washed Naruto's back and then eased him back down onto the bed. He wiped the rag down Naruto's chest. The blonde could only stare first at the goth and then at his hands on his body. It…was strange…but nice. Naruto couldn't remember a time he'd felt more relaxed. Gaara moved the cloth down Naruto's chest to his stomach and up along his sides. Though he was keeping his movements light, Gaara's hands were heavy on his torso and warm on top of the cool cloth. The combination was great.

Gaara dunked the cloth in the bowl again, rung it out and then carefully wiped Naruto's sweat dampened face. Naruto hadn't even realized he'd been sweating this much…Rinsing the rag one last time, Gaara placed the rag over Naruto's brow.

" You're wearing your body out with all the arguing." Gaara said, grumpy anger in his voice. "Rest."

Naruto nodded, actually feeling tired now. Around a yawn he added, "I'm sorry I'm wasting your skip day and your company. I'll make it up to you, ok?"

Gaara placed a finger on Naruto's lips, hissing in frustration, "Sh. Stop."

Gaara took his hand away and was pleased Naruto stayed quiet. "Company can't be wasted. And you can have mine anytime you want. So just rest."

Naruto relaxed and closed his eyes. Gaara planned on spending more time with him. He hadn't royally fucked up everything like he'd feared he had by picking bad movies and falling asleep on the guy. This news did indeed relax Naruto. He felt a careful hand brushing through his hair, trying to soothe him into sleeping. It worked. Naruto fell asleep within a few minutes.

Gaara moved to stand up but Naruto gripped his sleeve, exactly as he had last night.

"Gaara…" he whimpered, hazy blue half asleep eyes staring up at the redhead. "Stay?"

Letting out a soft sigh Gaara nodded and crawled over the blonde and laid beside him, just as he had last night. He allowed Naruto to keep his arm to snuggle with like he liked. So Gaara got comfortable laying behind Naruto, spooning with the boy with the captivating eyes, arm draped like a protective shield over the still shirtless blonde.

Gaara still remained uncertain as to what exactly he was getting into, trying to befriend this strange boy; but he found himself dreading it a little less.