Friends Hidden in the Leaves - 3

"Home at last!" Naruto leaped inside of his apartment and tossed his back pack aside.

Haku and Gaara gingerly ventured inside after him. It was a strangely decorated place.

The walls were painted a pale green, and there were potted plants placed in strange places throughout the apartment. Laundry, both dirty and clean, was sprawled out covering the entire floor. Gaara didn't have much of an opinion on Naruto's living space, but Haku did.

"Do you live here by yourself, Naruto?" Haku asked rhetorically.

The clueless blonde answered, "Yup, just me. I guess you guys will be staying here too. This is gonna be great!"

Suddenly Gaara was as alarmed as Haku was. Live here? The place was in shambles!

"Naruto," Gaara spoke up, "This place is a dump."

Haku agreed and couldn't restrain a small laugh.

Naruto's cheeks brightened and he retorted, "Well I…I haven't been here in a while, that's all! I'll have this place cleaned up in a jiffy!"

Gaara appeared skeptical about the comment. It looked as if the place hadn't been cleaned in years.

Naruto scrambled around lifting armfuls of clothing and tossed them into a closet. Gaara watched with amusement as Haku rushed to help him.

Haku was very orderly for a farm boy and felt the need to clean things. Either that or he felt bad for the disorganized blonde and only wanted to assist him.

Gaara didn't make a move. What the heck was this? Weren't they supposed to be training to be ninja? How was this anywhere near relevant to their goal?

Naruto finally stopped when the floor was visible, but Haku continued on cleaning other miscellaneous objects.

"He's a bit weird isn't he?" Naruto asked Gaara while they observed him engaging in chores he had often helped his mother with back in the Water Country.

"So are you." The red head answered bluntly, then added, "...me too."

Naruto grinned, "Heh! We're weirdoes!"

Gaara became quiet again. Was it even something to be proud of? Their individuality? He'd give anything to be normal so he could live a better life and not be hated by his village.

"Naruto," Haku was currently in the kitchen, "Why don't you wash yourself up? You told us you wanted to see your friend soon."

Naruto looked down at himself. Oh...

What had Jiraiya called it? 'Lord of the Flies?'

He was a mess like his apartment. And it wasn't very reassuring that Haku had been reduced to doing his dishes for him. How would they function together?

"Yeah, I guess I am kinda gross," Naruto chuckled, "I'll clean up and then we'll go see Hinata-chan!"

As the blonde ran into the bathroom trailing dirt and leaves behind him, Gaara set down his gourd.

"Haku, please stop cleaning." It bothered the red haired boy to watch Haku pick up after their loud friend.

"It's alright, I like to clean," He replied while looking around for a dish towel, "It reminds me of home."

It was quiet except for the sound of a shower running and Naruto babbling to himself. Gaara sat quietly in a chair in the kitchen, recalling what the Hokage had said.

"Did your father really try to kill you?"

Haku was silent for a minute and then answered, "He did."

"My uncle tried to kill me."

Haku looked at him, "Is that why you left your home?"

Gaara nodded.

Haku knew better than to ask how he had gotten away with his life. But judging by the similarities all three of them shared, he guessed they had both escaped by parallel means.

"Do you think Naruto...?"

"Probably," Gaara answered shortly, "I don't know why anyone would want to hurt him though."

"Maybe he just left Konoha to become stronger like he said," Haku mused while drying a plate, "He said he has a friend so…maybe people like him."

"Maybe." Gaara wasn't sure why Naruto had left such a great village like Konoha in the first place. Something must have been wrong.

"Um, Gaara?"

"Hn?"

Haku smiled sheepishly to him, "Can you help me with the dishes? Naruto has left quite a mess."

The red head groaned inwardly. He didn't like housework, but knowing their blonde companion he supposed he'd have to get used to it.

"Fine."

*

Clean and excited, Naruto had practically shoved his friends out the door and ran to the Ninja Academy. Gaara was thankful he had decided to leave his gourd back at Naruto's apartment, because he was sure he wouldn't have been able to keep up with him bearing all the extra weight.

"Naruto slow down!" Haku called ahead to him. He and Gaara trailed behind the blonde who was running as if he were gunning for first place.

"Naruto, you said she'd be waiting for you so what's your rush?" Haku called again.

He slowed down to let his companions catch up, "I don't know. I just really want to see her I guess."

Gaara gave Naruto an annoyed look while he took a moment to catch his breath. The blonde only laughed merrily. Hinata would be surprised to see him.

"Come on guys, hurry up! It isn't far!" Naruto could no longer wait and rushed ahead. With a sigh, Haku and Gaara followed, hoping they wouldn't have to do this often.

They passed by a squad of training genin as they neared the academy, and a few shouted some rude remarks to the blonde boy.

He was too busy to hear them. However Haku was rather appalled by their impolite language. Gaara began to doubt how Haku believed Naruto's fellow villagers liked him.

Suddenly, Naruto paused and then leapt up into the cover of a tree, gesturing for his friends to follow. Gaara leapt up as well, while Haku walked up casually, proud of his chakra control.

"Look there she is, see?" Naruto pointed to a swing on a nearby tree, where a dark haired girl sat.

"Who is that with her, Naruto?" Haku whispered.

She wasn't alone.

A pink haired girl stood next to her, talking up a storm, while the quiet girl listened intently. Gaara thought his eyes were being fooled for a moment. Pink hair? He blinked a few times.

Naruto, on the other hand, was taken aback. He recognized both girls, but was still keen on impressing Hinata. After a silent moment of Naruto grinning to himself he stood up on the branch.

"Hey! Hinata-chan!"

Gaara and Haku shook their heads. What was the point of stealth if Naruto would only blow their cover by increasing his volume?

The white eyed girl immediately looked up into the tree, and her pink haired friend turned as well.

Naruto jumped down and Gaara and Haku followed after a moment.

"N-Naruto-kun?" The quiet girl squeaked.