"Gaara."

Something woke him from his deep slumber. He mumbled something and untangled himself from Gaara's limbs. He tossed on some boxers and headed for the door. Chakra slare. Someone was there. He frowned and opened the door. There stood Iruka. The man rushed into the room and nearly knocked him over. Kakashi just walked in and closed the door.



"NARUTO!" The blond put his hand over Iruka's mouth and his former sensei looked at him puzzled.



"Shut up! Gaara's sleeping." He untangled Iruka's arms from around his neck and stepped away. "And you woke me up..." he grumbled something about being rude and ofted for the kitchen. "Want some tea?"



"You have tea?"



"Yes."



"Can you make it?" Naruto stuck his head out and glared.



"I may be a horrible cook but tea making is simple." Iruka said he wanted some and Kakashi passed.



"So, has Hokage-sama told you yet?"



"Told me what?"



"You're moving." Something dropped and Naruto cursed. Iruka's eyes darted towards the kitchen. "I see she neglected it."



"No, I told her I wasn't staying in the hospital one more minute and walked out."



"Just like you." Naruto came out grinning.



"Of course." He set down a small tray and served Iruak some tea. He handed Kakashi a biscut. The grey haired shinobi took it and nearly melted when he tasted it.



"Who-"



"I told you, I can't cook." The blond hiked a finger towards the bedroom. "Like I said, I don't know where he got it from but he's a great cook." Kakashi just nodded. Iruka glared at him.



"Nani?" Iruka shook his head and looked back to Naruto over the rim of his cup.



"So, when are you going?"



"Going where?" Naruto rubbed his forehead, one hand moving down to subconsciously rub at the scar on his neck.



"Moving!" Naruto glared at Iruka and the man covered his mouth. The door to the bedroom creeked open and Naruto sighed. He turned and watched as Gaara came out. He did NOT look happy.He just folded his arms over his chest, having dressed before he came out, and glared from one shinobi to the next, his gaze staying on Naruto.



"I didn't invite them." He stood and moved away from them. The red head's gaze moved back to Iruka and Kakashi. Iruka stood and started stammering. Kakashi had the sense to move towards the door.



"Out." Kakashi pulled Iruka and they left stammering out apologies. Gaara turned to Naruto. "Bed." The blond sighed. He was back to one word sentences. Oh he was in trouble. Picking up the tea, he took care of it and the dishes then rushed back into bed. Gaara had gotten comfortable on his side and Naruto crawled up behind him and kissed the back of his neck.



"I'm sorry Gaara."



"Go to sleep." Oh, three words. Maybe he wasn't in the hole that deep?





"Hold still!" Naruto was standing at the side of the bed watching as Tsunade tried to do an exam. Gaara couldn't sit still. "Gaara!" She finally ended up slapping his thigh. He just growled at her and sent a kick flying. "Fine. I won't tell you the sex." She stood and stomped off. The blond looked down to Gaara who was panting from the exertion, and sighed.



"That wasn't very nice." Gaara just looked up and glared. "I know, I know, I'm not the one with the kicking life inside who's pushing on the bladder." In one day, he'd heard that three times. Shaking his head, the blond moved away from the bed and peeked a head out the door. "So, what is it?"



"What's what?" She was wiping her hands, making sure the goop came off.



"The sex."



"I don't know. The butt was too me and I was going to make him roll over but the mother had a problem with that." Something came flying towards her head. She caught it and sent it right back. Gaara hissed and came out of the room. Naruto apologized for Gaara's behavior and escorted the red head from the office.



"What was that about?" The red head walked farther ahead.



"I don't like needles." Naruto nearly tripped when trying to catch up with the red head.



"So...we couldn't tell the sex of our little tyke because you don't like needles?" He sighed and put his hands behind his head. They were walking down the middle of market street when Naruto spotted something.



"Oh, Uzumaki-san!"



"Jii-san? What are you doing out here?" Naruto quirked a brow and helped the old wepon smith to his feet. The old man looked away and sighed. Gaara came up behind Naruto and looked mildly interested.



"Lost the shop."



"Nani?!" Naruto looked around and everyone was staring at them, even those passing by.



"Those punks you beat up way back when, well they came back while you were out like a midnight sausage and wrecked the place. Then some more people came and looted everything of value." He turned and looked around. He pulled his wife to her feet.



"Why didn't you report this?"



"What good would it have done?" Naruto's gaze examined the couple. They were dirty, their clothes were covered in holes and they looked sick.



"Come on." They looked at him. He handed the woman to Gaara, who looked at him like he was crazy and Naruto took the man. First thing was first, a trip to the hospital.



"Naruto?" Sakura looked up from her desk at the people behind him.



"Can you take a look at them?"



"Sure." She stood and walked over, ignoring her vast amounts of paperwork, and ave them both a quick exam. When she was done, she pulled out a bottle of pills and handed it to the man. "Take one every morning with some food." She pulled out a machine and handed it to the woman. "Read these directions and use this three times a day. In the morning, after lunch and before bed." She turned to Naruto. "Now what was this about?" He turned and told them to wait outside.



"Well...they looked like they needed help." She slapped him on the top of his head. "Tch! Okay! They helped me and while I was in the hospital, some punks cleaned out. He's a weapons smith and she's pretty good with food but...they don't have anything. They looked sick so I brought them here to you." Sakura just sighed and rubbed her forehead. She pulled out another bottle of pills and some extra medicine for the machine.



"Here. When they run out tell them these are to continue treatment." Naruto hugged her tightly.



"Thank's Sakura-chan!"



"This is the first and last time Naruto." She pointed back to her huge mound of paperwork. "You owe me."



"I don't understand anything about medical stuff."



"You're not stupid. You'll get it. Come in tomorrow." He just groaned and walked out. Gaara entow.



The next stop was Naruto's apartment. While they showered, he ran out to grab them some clothes and brought them back. He handed a day kimono to the woman and some work pants and a shirt to the man. He handed them both underware. "Didn't know what size so I guessed." They just stared wide eyed.



"Uzu-"



"Call me Naruto."



"Well...Naruto. You didn't have to do this." The woman stood and gave him a kiss on the cheek.



"Yea...I did." He smiled and left them to change. While they were changing he thought back long and hard for an answer and it finally came to him. He did a small jig and when they came out, they were fed and then moved.



"Where are we going?" Naruto held up his hand for them to stop. They did. He remembered the last time he was here. It was a mine field. When he suddenly started moving in funny ways, the couple turned to look at Gaara who shrugged. When he got to the door, he knocked and sighed with relief. At least he didn't get blown up this time.



"Who is it?"



"Naruto!"



"Oye! Ten-ten! It's for you!" He heard something from the background that sounded like 'coming'. The instant thought that came to his mind wasn't pleasant. Shaking his head, he waited...and waited...and waited, until finally, she came to the door.



"What can I do for you Naruto?"



"Well, you remember that weapons smith you're so fond of?" She nodded. He went on into a short explanation of what happened.



"Wait a minute." She stepped off the porch and walked over to pull a string. She turned back, smiling. "Go ahead, show them in." He nodded. "And don't worry about the exploding tags, I turned them off." He nodded again and went back to fetch the couple.





"OH! That was good of you," Iruka said excitedly.



"Hm." Naruto filled his tea cup again and looked at Gaara. The red head was dozing.



"So, when are you moving?"



"I'm not." Iruka nearly spit out the tea he just sipped. "Think about it Iruka-sensei, the first place they are going to look is in every apartment from here to the mountain because their expecting me to move."



"But the Hokage-"



"I know what she said damn it but I'm staying right here." He looked to the floor. "Have you ever wondered why I don't move? Why I don't have nice furniture? It's not that hard to figure out Iruka." The shinobi looked down and Kakashi patted his shoulder. "I'm staying here."



"Well maybe after tomorrow you'll change your mind." He smiled, patted Naruto's knees and stood. He grabbed Kakashi's arm and they poofed away.



"That wasn't nice." He looked at Gaara who still had his eyes closed.



"Maybe not." He stood and stretched, walking over to sit in front of Gaara's legs. The red head opened an eye and reached down, running pale finger through his hair. "Are you really afraid of needles?"



"Yes."



"Oh. I thought maybe you just didn't want to know if it was a boy or a girl." Gaara smiled slightly and closed his eye, going back to his nap.





"Really?" "What did she mean?" "The next what?" "Don't play stupid!" "I don't believe it!" "Believe it." The village gathered in front of the Hokage tower and everyone was looking up at the Fifth herself. Naruto was standing next to her open mouthed and wide eyed.



"Now, I expect you all to treat him as you would treat me." Her voice was loud and booming, heard by everyone who'd gathered. Naruto just looked at her dumbstruck. She turned and looked at him. "Got anything to say brat?" He gulped and looked at all the people down there. Oh no he didn't. He just shook his head and she laughed at him, patting his shoulder. "Come on. Say something! It's not that hard. Just look out passed them all and speak."



"I can't." He backed away from the railing and shuttered.



"Now is not the time to have stage freight." Sakura pushed him forward.



"That's right Naruto-san!" Shizune gave him a little shove. Gaara just stood up there, next to the Hokage and watched him.



"I can't!" He tried backing away again only to be stopped. He turned to see Sakura standing there, evil glint in her eye. He knew that look. "Alright alright!!" He walked forward, kind of glad to get away from Pinky and looked over the crowed. He tried thinking quickly. It wasn't helping. He turned to Gaara. The red head walked forward and held his hand, which was out of sight, and squeezed. To everyone else, who wasn't behind them, it looked like Gaara was going to speak right along with naruto but he wasn't. It was just reassurance. He smiled gently and turned, finally having something to say.



"People of Konoha!" Everyone shut up and looked to him. "Over the many years I have lived, you have all treated me poorly." There was mumbling but he continued to speak. "More than poorly. You have robbed me, ruined my property and have beaten me. You gave me rotten food and ostracized me. But now here this- I am going to be your next Hokage. I told you all, or all who would listen that this day would come, and it has." He turned to the people behind him and waved them forward. They came and stood next to him. The rookie nine, excluding one, Tsunade, Shizune, Jiraya, Anko, Ibaki, Sai, Iruka and Kakashi. "These people have helped me through the years when you all did not and because of them, I will be just and fair. I will not seek revenge for what you have done to me but remember this, what you do to me you do to each and every Hokage before me and after me." He stepped forward and gave them a peace sign. "Now, let's go party!!" People just paused for a moment, as if reflecting on something and then burst out into cheers.



"Not exactly what I had in my Brat but it'll do."



"Yea." He smiled at them, his big, dopey smile and walked off the top of the building. When he was alone, he shook uncontrollably. "Stage fright...who'da thought?" he laughed at himself. "I'm nearly indestructible but I can't stand up in front of hundreds of people. What is the matter with me?" Shaking his head he waited for everyone to follow and soon enough, they were all eating out, in a nice restaurant, Tsunade included. Chouji was next to Naruto and poked the blond with a chopstick. Naruto looked over. "Yea Chouji?"



"Do you want it?" Everyone stopped, Shikamaru right in the middle of stuffing his face, and they looked at them. Naruto looked from Chouji to wha he was indicating. The last piece of barbecue pork. A crucial moment...he didn't know whether to answer yes or no. He looked to Shikamaru who nodded yes, then to Ino who nodded no. He looked to Chouji's face and smiled.



"Yes, Chouji, I'd be happy to have it." Chouji handed him the piece of pork and Naruto ate it, savoring it. This offer would never come again. He put up a hand for a waiter. "Some more pork!" Chouji's mouth watered at the sound of more food. Everyone just laughed and patted him on the back.



"So, when are you going to take the chounin exams Naruto?" Iruka looked at the blond who looked to his empty plate.



"Well, Sakura and Sai are already chounin and I don't want to have to put them through that again so-"



"I don't mind Naruto." Sakura smiled at him. Sai just nodded, eating quietly to himself.



"Well, whenever they come up next."



"Three weeks." Naruto looked at Iruka.



"What are you planning Iruka-sensei?" The chounin had the graciousness to blush and look away.



"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Naruto leaned forward.



"Uhu. I bet you tell that to everyone. What. Are. You. Planning?" Kakashi couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. Tsunade followed and then so did the rest of the table, excluding Sai. He didn't know what was so funny. Iruka leaned into him, nose to nose.



"I have no idea what you're talking about." They just had a staring contest until finally, Naruto went back to his seat.



"Uhu. I think you're up to something Iruka-sensei."



"What makes you say that?" Naruto just looked at him. Iruka blushed, once again.



"I rest my case." Iruka sighed and turned over a piece of pork, their tird round of food having been set down on the grills. Naruto looked to Sakura who was eating quietly and he got an evil smile on his face. He waved over a waiter and whispered something into the man's ear. The waiter gave him a funny look as if he didn't get it then nodded. Within moments, there were four people standing next to the table, each with an instrument. Naruto stood and walked around the table to Sakura, who wasn't paying him any mind, and he wrapped his arms around her waist and hauled her to standing.



"Now Sakura-chan..." she looked from him to the people with the instruments and then back.



"Oh no you don't you evil little-" She pushed him away.



"Oh come on!" He looked to the table of people. "She has a really great voice but doesn't want anyone to know about it!" She covered his mouth and glared evilly at him.



"You are going to have paperwork out of your ass if you don't shut up," she hissed at him. he just grinned under her hands.



"Why Sakura, I didn't know you could sing," Ten-ten spoke up.



"Neither did I! Come Sakura-chan, grace us with a song!" Lee looked at her with one of his smiles, the shine nearly blinding everyone there.



"I don't know what he's talking about. I sing like a mad cow!" She chuckled and turned a glare back to Naruto. He could see the fire of revenge in their depths but he just stepped out of her way and bowed. She cursed and kicked at him. He caught her foot, albeit with a little difficulty, and flipped her around so she was facing the table.



"Now, don't keep them waiting Sakura-chan." He laughed and went back to his seat. She sighed, in defeat, and walked over to the small band. She whispered a song and they all smiled. When they started to play, she closed her eyes and clasped her hands just under her breasts. No one paid attention to her hands. When she opened her mouth, they were all mesmerized. Her voice was so potent, the entire restaurant stopped to watch her. When she finished and opened her eyes, everyone's jaw was hanging to the floor. She personally moved to close Kakashi's.



"Now now, Kakashi-san, that's not nice." Everyone closed their mouths and looked at her with disbelief.



"I don't think that's a mad cow Sakura-chan," Lee said. Everyone agreed and asked her to sing some more. She sighed and looked to Naruto. The blond was just smiling at her. She shook her head, not being able to fight the smile that returned his. She was going to kill him.



Dinner went well enough and everyone finally left. Sakura was hoarse by the time she was finally allowed to stop singing. Tsunade told them to get some sleep, they had a lot of work to do within the next few weeks. And boy did they ever.



Naruto's days were filled with training with Sai and Sakura, her payback for making her sing in front of everyone, and Sai was still trying to get into his pants. Gaara went to his appointments regularly but, at his last one, Tsunade told him he'd have to stay in bed. Something was wrong with the sac holding the baby and if he did to much strenuous activity it might hurt the baby, if not kill it. He wanted to argue but he didn't want anything to happen to the baby so when naruto came home and found him practically tied to the bed with Shizune standing over him, arms crossed over her chest, he wasn't happy.



She took the time to explain and he looked at Gaara who just stared at the ceiling. His sand hissed in it's gourd and Naruto just sighed. Shizune left, taking the chakra infused rope off of Gaara who sat up and glared at her. She let him know she'd be back in the morning for a check-up. When the door closed behind her, Naruto turned and crossed his arms over his chest.



"Fighting with the doctor so she has to tie you up? Ignoring orders? Not allowing a physical examination? You know, you're starting to sound a lot like a child." Gaara glared and sand came up to attack Naruto. The blond sighed and held up his hands in defeat. "Look, if you want our child to come out with an extra hand, or head, then be my guest and ignore Baa-chan's orders." Gaara looked stricken when Naruto mentioned extra hands and heads. The red head looked to his belly then back up to Naruto and sniffled. The blond jumped out of the sand and over to the bed. "I didn't mean that! I was just trying to say you really should listen to her! If she says you have to stay in bed then you have to stay in bed."



"For two more months?"



"For as long as she tells you too." He glowered and sank down on the bed. When he pulled the cover over him, Naruto sighed and rubbed his head. Hormones. That's what Tsunade called them. She said Gaara was affected by them more than a pregnant woman because his body wasn't used to them. She also said it could make him more violent. No, they didn't make him more violent. They made him extreamly emotional. Looking to the lump under the blankets, Naruto got up and headed into the kitchen. He grabbed up an apple and a knife and began to peel. He'd gotten very good at this so the apple was almost pristine. He quartered and then eighthed it and set it on a plate. "Ne, Gaara?" The lump moved a little but that was all the response he got.



Sitting on the edge of the bed, Naruto peeled the cover back and handed the red head part of the apple. A pale hand came out to grab it and the plate dropped to the floor. Naruto grabbed Gaara's hand and stared at it. Blood. He pulled the covers away and gasped. Without a word, he grabbed up Gaara into his arms and rushed out of the house. He hadn't even bothered to put back on his shoes.





"Come on Gaara!" The red head was covered in sweat, his back against Naruto's front. They didn't have time for the epidural and the baby was coming out. They didn't have to cut anything. "Good. Take a breath and when you need to push just push." His head fell back against Naruto's chest and his eyes closed. He was tired. So tired. He was worried too. The baby was early. They said his lungs might not be developed fully. Suddenly, he crunched up, his face contorting and pushed. Tsunade's eyes lightened.



"We have a head. A beautiful, red head." She laughed and told Gaara to stop pushing. She reached in and pulled the baby out and held it up. "And a beautiful baby boy." They only got a glimpse before she handed him to Shizune. "Now Gaara, you're going to have to push one last time alright? I have to get everything out." He nodded and she pressed down just under his ribs. With a little jolt of chakra, Gaara pushed and Tsunade finished the dilivery. With her hand glowing green, she bent down far enough to see what she was doing and started healing the small cut's she'd had to make along Gaara's inner walls. When he was healed enough to move on his own without chancing a tear open, she helped him get situated on the bed, helping Naruto out frm behind him.



"Tsunade-sama." She turned, tossing her gloves to the trash and walked over to the baby. He was having a hard time breathing.



"Get him to the incubator." Shizune nodded and she along with Sakura wheeled the baby out. "It's as I feared. His lungs aren't fully developed yet and he still has some growing to do. Since he'd early, he's very small." She sat down on her wheely stool and wheeled herself next to Gaara's head. Grabbing up a cool cloth from the basin next to the bed, she wiped his forehead and face. "He's going to have to stay for a while." Gaara just turned to Naruto who looked at Tsunade.



"How long?"



"Until he's gained some weight, his lungs have finished developing and he's healthy enough for you to take home." Naruto's blue eyes trailed to Gaara's green and they both shared a moment of sorrow. "Look at it this way you two, it gives you time to set up the nursery. Oh wait, you still live in a one room apartment." She sighed and looked back to Gaara, a smile on her face. "You did good kid. No woman I know can take that much pain without a little help and you didn't have any." With a pat to his arm she stood and stretched. Naruto winced as he heard a rapid succession of pops coming from her body. "Oh, finally. I've been trying to get that to pop for days." Shaking her head, she cleaned up and had someone sent into move Gaara to an actual room.