Born Into Trouble As The Sparks Fly Upward

Naruto leaned against the fence that surrounded the training block. The wire screeched as he shifted.

It hadn't done that four years ago.

Though, four years ago, he's been a scrawny little brat — and a damn whiny one. A boy who just wanted to go home.

Pathetic, really.

Especially when "home" consisted of nothing but loneliness and the constant smell of petrichor — the earth after rain.

...God, it really had been awful. And the worst part was that Naruto couldn't remember most of it. When he could, it was too fuzzy to make out. The more he tried, the more it faded away.

All he could get were small moments, random images, thoughts and feelings. As he mulled through it, he wondered why he'd ever wanted to go back. If he was just desperate, or if he didn't remember something that his younger self did.

What interrupted his thoughts was the only reason Naruto hadn't run away from the barren city he now called home in the first place: Gaara.

His hair was longer and darker than it had been four years ago. His face was sunken, and the marks around his eyes were somehow darker, accentuated by shadow or eyebags or, god forbid, Shukaku becoming prevalent. But his demeanor was relaxed, his heart rate was normal, and sand wasn't flying around and attacking everyone, so he was probably fine.

Gaara leaned on the wire fence next to Naruto, and the pair cringed as the screeching assaulted their senses.

"Gods, somebody needs to fix that," Gaara muttered. He'd recently adopted polytheism, as opposed to autotheism.

"Agreed," Naruto said, crossing his arms. "At least they added a gate, though."

Gaara hummed. "Climbing was annoying. And jumping over it was a waste of chakra."

"True."

The pair conversed casually (which would, to any outsider, sound so stiff it was just about rehearsed) until Baki approached them, holding a beat-up backpack.

The man was older, now. A lot more worn, and a lot more fearful. Not that he showed it. But life as a shinobi will fuck you up, and Baki was no exception.

Naruto could pinpoint the day the change was made — two years ago, in the middle of July. The day Baki began doing everything by the book, looking over his shoulder at every turn.

It had been terrifying.

"Listen up," he said. "I have news. Naruto, don't combust."

"I'll do my best," he replied playfully.

His curiosity was piqued. Evidently, so was Gaara's. He was looking at Baki's face, making sure he could understand every word.

A slow whine came from the fence as Naruto leaned forward. Baki was acting tense. Nervousness, maybe, or excitement? They were about the same when it came to him.

"In about two years," Baki said, "the pair of you will compete in the chunin exams."

Definitely nervous. He was looking past the boys, like he couldn't meet their eyes.

Odd.

"The chunin exams are every six months," Gaara pointed out. "Is there a specific reason why we're doing it in two years?"

"Cut to the damn chase, is what he means," Naruto said. Skepticism made his voice tilt oddly.

"Yeah, I got that. Thanks," Baki responded dryly. Naruto made a face.

"What's important about these exams," Baki continued, "is that..."

He took a breath.

Naruto nodded.

"...These exams are going to be held in Konohagakure."

And everything stopped.

A rushing in his ears.

A chemical reaction in his head. It made his vision wobble and his nerves spark.

He couldn't force himself to move.

His mouth was dry.

Every thought he might've had stopped dead.

Baki said something he didn't really comprehend, and then he responded.

It was probably super witty.

Fuck.

Naruto just wanted to go home.

But they were at the training block. They needed to train.

...Had they already done their training, or was he thinking of yesterday's?

Everything was jumbled.

His skin was fizzling.

Like soda.

And his limbs were tense and he couldn't move his own fucking body.

Derealization gave way to panic, which gave way to nothing at all.

Baki's place was pretty much exactly like it had been four years ago, except he had a new couch-bed.

"What the shit?" Naruto said, feeling like he just woke up. He glanced around before coming to the conclusion that he had, in fact, combusted, died, and was reborn from the ashes in Baki's apartment, for some reason. Like a freeloading phoenix. "When did I get here?"

"We brought you here," Gaara said. "You looked out of it. Like you were on psychedelics or something."

Baki cast a glance at Gaara before speaking. "You said you didn't want to go home because of... um, 'the scary old man, that scary badass girl, and the asshole.' Honestly, that drug comparison was... closer than I'd like to admit."

"You look like you saw God and it had fifteen penises."

"What the fuck does that mean?"

Naruto forced a small laugh, then his expression turned serious. His shoulders slumped.

"Sorry for... making you take me here. I don't really know what happened."

"Not your fault, kid."

Even with the reassurance, Naruto was rather embarrassed. But more than that, he was scared. In spite of his newfound awareness, his skin felt oddly tight. His veins seemed more like live wires. He scratched at his hands absently. Dread settled in his stomach.

He was going back.

Baki, as paranoid as usual, noticed.

"Kid?" he asked, anxiety evident. "What's wrong?"

Naruto bit at his lip and sighed.

"I'm going back," he offered. Like that was reason enough.

Gaara responded before Baki got the chance to.

"So? You'll have us with you."

Naruto began a smart response, but stopped.

...He hadn't even thought that he'd have his friends with him.

All he'd really focused on was the fact that he'd be alone, be in danger.

But he wouldn't be alone. Gaara was strong. Naruto was strong. He wouldn't get ridiculed or attacked or murdered or whatever it is he was afraid of. He couldn't remember what it was exactly, but it didn't matter. It wouldn't happen.

Naruto brightened visibly upon this revelation, though the feeling of dread remained, prominent as ever.

"I guess you're right," Naruto said, and though his smile wasn't as substantial as usual, at least he could muster up something. "I'll have you guys with me."

"What the hell happened, anyways?" Baki asked eventually. His eyebrows were furrowed. "For the very mention of returning to cause that..."

Naruto didn't know what the hell he was talking about, but he did know that he wasn't meant to hear it.

"I don't really... remember?" he said, not at all confidently. "I guess I was kinda lonely, but..."

Naruto was sandwiched between Baki and Gaara on Baki's couch. It's not like it wouldn't fit them if they spread out, but apparently spreading out wasn't an option.

Baki was on the end, and Naruto was ungracefully pressed against him by Gaara, who very much enjoyed Naruto's personal space.

"...Define 'lonely,'" Baki said, his one visible eyebrow raised.

"Um..."

"Synonymous with 'severely neglected,'" Gaara supplied.

"That makes sense."

"'That makes sense'?" Naruto repeated incredulously. "The hell does that mean?"

"I'm a jonin, Naruto, I've studied behavioral psychology."

Naruto grunted and shut his eyes.

"I feel attacked," he muttered.

For several moments he successfully pretended to be asleep until a lightbulb went off in his mind.

He opened one eye.

"Gaara, how did you know that?"

"That" being the extent of Naruto's lonesomeness.

"You told me," he responded simply.

"Did I?"

"A long time ago. Used to have nightmares. I don't sleep so you came and told me about them. Would fall asleep again halfway through telling me, but I could piece it together."

Naruto blinked.

"Dude, I don't remember that at all."

"They mostly started after we almost got murdered."

"Makes sense, I guess. I don't remember much of that, either."

"You don't want to. It was super gory."

"I bet."

Baki sighed.

"What the fuck, boys."

Some things, Naruto wasn't meant to hear.

So it was lucky when he fell asleep.

Gaara could tell. He heard his heart rate, slow and steady, and for once, his jaw wasn't clenched. It seemed like it had been for years.

"Are we going to tell him?" Gaara asked Baki.

"No." Baki shook his head slowly. "I think he needs to accept reality before we dump another layer of 'what the fuck' onto him."

Gaara didn't respond. He studied Naruto's features.

Round face. Dark birthmarks. Sharp teeth and nails.

Gaara was sure if he'd opened his eyes, they'd be red.

"So... he did it?" Gaara asked.

"He did it," Baki confirmed. "I just... can't imagine what sort of thing would make a kid react like that." Baki was speaking mostly to himself. His voice was quiet, and he was looking at the ground instead of at Gaara, which was unusual. Baki loved eye contact.

Gaara contemplated something, then spoke.

"His parents are dead," he said.

"Naruto's?"

"Yeah."

"I know that."

"But I remember things he doesn't. I think you should know some of it."

"Only some?"

"Yes."

"Well, let's hear it."

Baki shifted positions just slightly so he could hear Gaara better, without disturbing Naruto.

"Okay. Well, for one thing..."

As Gaara spoke, Baki's frown deepened.

When he finished, the sound Baki made was... what, disbelieving? It would make sense. He didn't want to believe it, after all.

"And... you're sure? This all happened?"

"I'm not. He told me this years ago. I could be misremembering, or he exaggerated, or I'm missing details."

"I appreciate the honesty."

"Thanks."

Days passed.

Baki stood still on slabs of dry concrete. His expression was severe. His hands were in fists at his sides.

Naruto and Gaara stood before each other, offset to their mentor. Both were holding a kunai, both were bruised and battered. As though they'd been fighting for hours already.

Naruto's eyes were red. The marks on his cheeks were dark, and his nails had sharpened into claws, as it had been for days.

(The reaction when he finally looked in a mirror was definitely "what the fuck.")

Gaara looked like he did usually, besides a slight grimace and impatiently swirling sand.

Moments passed.

Baki, with the certainty of a solder, shouted a command.

Go.

They went.

Naruto ran with incredible speed to Gaara's side. He stabbed through a sand shield and just barley missed Gaara's arm.

Gaara pushed his elbow back and hit him in the throat.

They kicked and stabbed with increasing desperation.

Naruto seemed notably quicker, notably more logical than he'd been years ago — though in reality, he relied mostly on muscle memory and reflexes, plus chakra-strengthened movements.

Gaara, on the other hand, was obviously stronger, physically. He no longer relied completely on his sand, instead using it mainly for defense.

Baki observed their fight with a watchful eye. He noticed every detail, every flaw and every perfection.

After maybe five minutes, the fighting stopped. Both boys were bleeding in some way or another. Baki scanned them for any serious injury.

As always, there were none. Any scrapes they'd had were minor, or were already healed.

Satisfied, Baki nodded at the boys.

"Good work."

Naruto and Gaara looked at each other. Naruto grinned, and Gaara frowned... less.

He continued, "Gaara, go home. Naruto, stay here. I need to speak with you."

His tone betrayed nothing.

Naruto's eyes lingered on Gaara as he walked past, but the boy kept his head down. His jaw was clenched. He made no move to go home.

Naruto's smile faded, though he was glad for Gaara's presence.

His head finally reached Baki's shoulders, he realized as he made his way to his mentor.

Gods, anything to keep his mind off Konoha.

"You were sloppy," Baki said simply. "Your mind is wandering."

"My mind always wanders."

Baki frowns.

"Then, you're nervous. More nervous than you usually are while sparring. You understand you have to be confident in your movements, but today, you weren't."

Naruto ducked his head and nodded slightly.

"I understand, sir."

They were quiet.

Baki didn't lecture him any further.

"The boys?" Rasa asked. "You told them the news?"

"Yes, sir. I did."

"How did they respond?"

Baki bit his cheek. What could he say?

He chose his words carefully.

"Naruto... I believe his childhood in Konoha was worse than we'd been told. He responded with fear."

"And Gaara?"

"Gaara was indifferent."

That was a lie. He was curious to see the village, Naruto's past home. He was excited, in some regard.

But Rasa didn't need to know that.

"And... how close is Naruto to loosening his seal?"

Baki shifted slightly. He didn't know whether he was happy about the boys progress or not, but what he did know was that Rasa expected it. And Baki didn't like him very much. So, he lied.

"Extremely. I'm sure he'll have full control of the Kyuubi's chakra within the year. Although, right now, he doesn't seem to be aware that it's even happening."

Naruto was very much aware, and very much excited. He would more than likely be able to control it within six months.

"Interesting." Rasa laced his fingers together. Baki fought to remain expressionless. "Tell me, were they curious about why you will be going to Konoha specifically?"

"Gaara was, I'm sure. But Naruto just about has a panic attack, which took priority."

By "panic attack," of course, Baki meant "he just about murdered me," but that wasn't really a key detail.

"You know it's not your job to keep them happy, Baki. It's your job to make them strong."

"That's what I'm doing."

"By coddling them?"

Baki grit his teeth.

"You're quick to judge my methods, Lork Kazekage, but the children are excelling in every regard."

"Don't be smart. You're a soldier, nothing more. Do you understand?"

"I understand plenty, sir."

"Get out, now."

Baki turned his back on the Rasa and left. His opinion of the man was steadily lowering. 

His anger? Raising by the minute.

What an incompetent bastard.