AN: Yet another result of me and Panur rping. This chapter was beta-read by one and only Shiruji – she was a great help, thank youXD

He was sure he must have crossed him half a dozen of times when he came to drop off his kid in the mornings, but the truth was that he had never been an early riser, and taking his own personal mini-me to preschool was an act of reflex more than a conscious action; and if he could barely tell the difference between the Walking-green-guy and the Stop-before-a-car-runs-you-over-red-guy on the street lights, he obviously didn't stand a chance to remember anyone's faces. He limited himself to nod and wave back when someone did it his way –go basic urban education!- And if it hadn't been because they had both been called to the daycare to tend to fiercely-glaring, rather bruised (and in Naruto's case, bloodied) kids five months ago, he wouldn't have known who the hell the guy was.

Moving in and adjusting and all that psychological crap that he had to care about as a parent had been, exactly as expected, a matter better measured at a scatological level, so he hadn't been at all surprised that less than a week into his new daycare, Naruto had made a mortal enemy and had gone down to fists with him. Casualties had resulted in numerous superficial scrapes (that Naruto could have done perfectly on his own if left unsupervised for five minutes), an unsalvageable shirt that Naruto had spilled, what looked like, a liter of blood on it; a vaguely concerning scrape on redhead's elbow and a lot of dirty looks directed to one another.

He lived five blocks away from the daycare, so he had arrived at the daycare almost before the incident could have been considered over. The redhead's dad had taken about forty more minutes to appears, had come in looking pissed, and had glared at his kid until the poor thing looked as if he just wanted earth to swallow him, he had left the daycare nanny with the words half-hanging on her mouth and then went off while dragging his kid without sparing the little blond a glance. Yes, not a very good memory, he had been concerned about the next day - but the redhead looked as perfect as ever. Plus it was summer so there was a lot of skin showing but he didn't see any bruises, so unless the guy was crazy careful with where he was hitting-

At any rate, that had been five months ago. He had pretty much forgotten about the incident until the previous day. Naruto had looked unusually thoughtful as they walked back home and after a good deal of prodding, his son had asked him if he could start picking him up a little later. Because if he came on time, Gaara would have to stay at the daycare alone until his dad came for him.

Minato, of course, had had no idea who Gaara was, so he was more than a little shocked to find out that it had been the same pale, baggy-eyed redhead that Naruto had claimed to be his worst enemy –he had initially believed Naruto had given the kid two black eyes- had quite naturedly transitioned from enemy to best friend in the span of a month, and according to the nanny, they had been joined at the hip ever since. Not that he was exactly surprised. Violent change of ideas and moods (undiagnosed bipolarity, as he liked to affectionately call it when he wasn't in the range of a blow) had been one of Kushina's main traits.

At any rate, Minato didn't think it was a good idea to leave two kids playing alone in an otherwise empty park under the dubious supervision of a teacher who had already finished her shift and just wanted to go somewhere else. So here he was, reading a pocket book and watching said kids play together while waiting for Sabaku what's-his-name to show up so he could talk to him about what they could do. He wondered if the kid waited two hours on a regular basis, or if he was just getting lucky.

Sabaku Daichi hadn't started the day in a particularly good mood. First he wanted to make his kids breakfast, but then it turned out that there was not enough cheerios for all of them and Temari, being the good girl she was, gave Gaara her bowl while she ate a bit of Daichi's own plate (which he wouldn't have made if it wasn't to make her eat).

'It's because I'm older and I can.' she said, eating his pork weenie while the boys looked at him with some kind of dissatisfaction, milk and cheerio crumbles around their faces. It was good they were too hungry to complain or start a fight over the privilege of eating with him too. After Kankuro had finally downed his bowl and Gaara was only half way to the bottom of his own bowl (not being too good at using a spoon), Temari said: 'Father, I think the clock is broken.'

Everything went downhill from there. He made them all dress up in five minutes, not letting Gaara eat the rest – resulting in him being in foul mood and sucking on his dirty teddy nonstop (but if he took it away Gaara would start to cry so he couldn't fuss over it – he was not in a very good predicament to do that).

He dropped Temari off at her school just in the nick of time, but Kankuro was late and he looked deeply dissatisfied that Daichi couldn't go with him and apologize because Mr. Gekkou tended to put the late kids in the corner and it was humiliating. After scribbling something barely recognizable on a scrap of newspaper (some valid explanation) he pushed the kid out of the car and drove away to the kindergarten. He was already an hour late when he dropped off his youngest with his plush but without a sweater on that cold day. He recognized his mistake when he was half-way to work, in the street jam, and wanted to bang his head on the wheel.

If Gaara got sick they would get into big trouble. And on top of that – he came to work almost two hours and fifteen minutes late. Which was quite good considering he once arrived four hours late and it was the day he was supposed to give off a presentation he had worked on for six months. It went down the drain. But that was then. Only, his chief didn't think so.

'Sabaku.' he said with the disapproval in his voice and showed him his watch 'Any explanation for this?'

'I'll work this out.' said Daichi, already knowing that he would be sitting at work for an extra two hours and that Temari would be sitting alone in school again, talking to the floor cleaner. And Kankuro would probably make a scene for being so late and Gaara…

He didn't even want to think what Gaara would do once the nanny closed the kindergarten for the day. He was a calm kid but also an unpredictable kid and the woman had already had enough of him and didn't take care of him for longer than half an hour after time. Thanks to that Gaara once broke his hand and once almost lost his life. He even got in trouble with some blond kid once. It was the worst time to get into trouble but he just did it and all because of what? Some blond boy taking his teddy away.

He felt so helpless, he didn't have strength to scream at him for his selfishness over some piece of rugs. Plus, the danger of him crying his lungs out all the way back home until the police came was also something he didn't want to experience. God knew what would happen this time? He couldn't stop thinking about it, so his work effectiveness was equal to zero and he got scolded for being unorganized and messy, twice, that day. Then he had to look at it again and he almost tore his hair off his head for not being able to count the numbers up. Every time it came out differently…

Thanks to all that, he worked three hours longer. But there was luck in bad luck – his car didn't crash or anything and Temari was a good girl like always, not complaining or anything. Kankuro also behaved nicely. Even though he looked up at him with eyes that were red from crying, he tried to look as if he hadn't. That was a nice act from both parts.

He felt so relieved and relaxed after the murderous day at work that he almost forgot he had a third kid waiting for him and he managed to drive three streets away from the destination. When he finally got to the kindergarten – the stars could be counted on the sky. And dear God, he didn't even manage to go shopping. Not that he any bright perspectives for that.

He stared at the closed door like the idiot he was and then ran around, trying to spot the redhead anywhere. But before he could cry out the first 'Gaara' he tripped over something small and blond and fell flat on his face. Once he got up, now full of sand in his three days old beard, he saw the pale redhead sucking on his toy and looking as if he was catching the first signs of hypothermia.

'Daddy.'

'Naru, be more careful.' an adult's voice admonished as a hand grabbed Sabaku senior by the elbow and helped him back up.

'But daddy, he tripped on me!' the blond said, dusting himself off theatrically and smearing bright colored chalk on his white pants. Why did he even bother buying the kid clothes with solid colors? Minato thought to himself. He should just buy some colorful, hippy mess of tie-dye monstrosity where stains would just blend in, never to be recognized. Shaking his head with a somewhat grim smile, he turned to the redheaded father.

'You must be Gaara's father, right? I`m Uzumaki Minato, we met a few months ago.'

'You- Ah, yes, I'm sorr- Gaara!' The red haired male didn't seem to be particularly interested in who was talking to him and about what as it seemed like he didn't notice him once they left the little kid and when he got up, he turned to look at the redhead again, ignoring both of blondes. That wasn't important now. 'Wear this and go to the car right now, I told your siblings not to open the windows, it should be warm there…'

'But I am warm.' protested the kid, though he wasn't really. 'And your coat is too big for me. I want to play a little more…'

The redheaded male looked at the kid as though he couldn't understand what he was talking about. He had been alone for hours and wanted to play more?... Then he noticed the blond kid - and finally recognized him. It was the same kid that got into a mess after having taken the plush from his son.

He immediately got up from his crouching position, took the kid by the arm and tugged him as he walked up to the blond male and bowed down in a deep apologizing bow.

'I'm sorry for whatever he did again. I'll pay for whatever he has broken.' Gaara didn't seem to be as convinced as him so he tugged on him sharply. The kid got the signal and bowed down also.

'I'm sorry for playing hide-and-seek.'

The taller blond sweat-dropped.

'He… didn't really break anything or do anything bad…' he said, rubbing the back of his head self consciously. 'They weren't fighting. Naruto just wanted to stay a little longer to play with Gaara-kun…'

A little longer… He had expected it to amount to maybe one hour, two at most. Not four. He would have dragged his own kid back home if it weren't for Naruto looking at him as if he had just suggested to ban ramen from existence when he had suggested it and the redhead had looked as if he had been about to cry. So he had just asked the nanny to watch them for a moment while got back home to get something for them to snack on. Nothing fancy, just a couple apples and peaches, as he didn't want the redhead getting full on something not-parental-dinner, as parents nowadays were rather picky on schedules and stuff…

But after another hour and a half had passed, he had gone and bought them some cookies to share. No, it wasn't healthy and it messed the dietary equilibrium he had set for Naruto, but both kids had looked tired and hungry, because really, what did you do with an apple and a peach when you were four years old? He didn't know about other kids, but Naruto was a termite, and the redhead didn't seem to be very far behind in the amount of enthusiasm towards eating.

An few minutes ago, the place had actually closed as the last batch of kids left, leaving him with both kids coloring the sidewalk with some leftover chalk, that he was sure his son had smuggled out from a classroom, and some other teacher that was supposedly watching them, but who seemed too intent on filing her nails in the classroom to actually check on the kids. Oh, speaking of which, there she was…

'Mr. Sabaku, yes?' she spoke, looking at him with distaste. The redheaded male looked back at her with a frown, obviously not recognizing her 'I'm Yuuichi Kurenai, teacher in this kindergarten. I want to express my concerns about the fact that you have been coming for your child this late for at least five days a week…'

'What?' The man interrupted her, now turning back to her completely and crossing his arms as though he was some kind of a celebrity and yet, a watchdog who stopped the intruders to some invisible club. 'I'm sorry, but it seems you're mistaking me for someone else. I don't come late that often-'

'But it's not the first time you're this late Mr. Sabaku!' she said, interrupting him and putting her nice, red painted nails on her hips 'What is running around in your head, mister? This is not a 24/7 nanny-care, it's a kindergarten and we are not supposed to stay here and take care of kids for God knows how long because the parents are busy sitting in some dirty corner of the street and drinking-'

'I am not an alcoholic!' the man shouted, though he restrained his tone, seething his words through his teeth 'The whole day I was working for food on the table for all my three children and I really couldn't help being so late, but if I'm not late they will soon have nothing to eat and then you might call the Child Care Center to tell them that I'm bad parent, right?'

'Well, leaving them alone on the street might also get them kidnapped or hurt so I can't actually say that it's good parenting.'

The red-haired man closed his jaw, gulping loudly and clawed slowly at his uniform with his fingers, but still didn't break through his cool.

'I am working hard to pay for this damned kindergarten with my damned money and I can at least expect for my kid to be taken care of until I come so I can properly feed them and take him home, am I, or am I not?' He uttered through tightly clenched teeth, his sharp eyes shining of murderous-intent. The woman didn't seem to be fazed though.

'But not for four damned hours.' she replied smugly, then looked at the watch 'I'm not paid enough for this. This time I'm going to let it go because Mr. Uzumaki was so kind to take care of your son. But I swear, one more incident like that and I will report you to the police so maybe the kid can find some other parent who doesn't drink-'

'I don't drink!'

'... and get here on time. Right, Gaara?'

The woman crouched down to the red-haired kid with a warm smile. Gaara looked back at her with insecurity, not knowing what she wanted from him, but he smiled back too because she was pretty. Daichi looked at them with horror.

'I see that we agree. Now, goodbye Mr. Sabaku, I have to go. I hope you will remember my words and treat them as seriously as I did when I told them. Bye, Gaara.'

'Bye, bye!' The kid said, waving back at her with a smile. That was too much for Daichi.

'And why the hell are you so happy about!' he shouted, bringing up a fist to actually hit Gaara, but his lack of strength got the best of him and he uncurled his fist before it connected with the little head, not touching it. The kid looked back at him, terrified and obviously not understanding what he had done wrong. Daichi scowled at him.

'I can't believe this.' He murmured and frowned, feeling the evening cold starting to bite at his skin 'To the car, you little traitor. Move!' He pushed the kid - almost making him trip over and turned toward Minato, bowing a goodbye and almost tripping over Naruto again as he caught Gaara's hand and dragged him forward.

'Jesus, what a day… and there's also… there's also no dinner at home! Are you happy about that too?' he shouted at the kid who only paled in the response.

'I wanted to say bye to Naruto…'

'Oh, shut up!... We're so late you should already be in bed and you want to say bye to Naruto! What the hell, I thought I had a reasonable kid!...'

'W-why are you angry at me?...'

'I said shut up! I'm not in the mood to handle your stupid questions right now!'

The kid hiccupped, trailing after him, trying not to cry and chewing on the toy that was dirtier than the coat he gave him. He really shouldn't do that. But the day was breaking down around him and his nerves stopped supporting him. Call the child's welfare! Of course he won't be able to make it on time again and again every day! It wasn't technically possible! This was the only thing that hadn't happened to him yet, and now it did.

Minato did the sensible thing as the irate teacher approached; and dragged his kid at a sensible distance, wishing he could do the same with the little redhead but he was not really able to as his father still had a grip on him. Poor kid, really. It was awful when your parents blamed their stress on you, and this guy seriously looked like he packed a healthy dose of stress. It was hard not to hear the conversation, but by the moment the woman finally departed he barely had a second to grab Naruto and drag him down the tree he had been attempting to climb and drag him by the jacket after the pair.

'Mr. Sabaku, please wait…!'

The other man stopped, looking around with weary eyes, obviously not expecting to be called back again. Then he frowned and tugged his kid as he turned around, making the redhead stumble a little.

'What is it? You said he didn't break anything…. Or did he?' he looked at the kid with the deepening frown and scowled at him even more 'What the hell did you do?'

'Nawthing…' was the response. It was barely understandable as the kid was now fully in hysteria, probably only holding together because his parent had a steel grip on his hand. He was chewing on the toy. 'Aw did nawthing…'

The other man looked like if he wanted to hit the kid again but he restrained himself from doing that and bowed down again.

'I'm really sorry.'

'Stop apologizing, no one did anything!' The older man said, looking slightly horrified by all the apologizing that was going on. Or maybe it was the way the tears were welling up in the redhead's eyes. 'Look, I can understand that you've had a really rough day and I don't mean to hold you up any longer than necessary, and I don't want to cause trouble but I mean to say… That teacher is right.' He had to continue in a hurry as the man made a face that made Naruto, normally the boldest of four-years-olds hide behind his legs, clutching at his jeans loosely. 'Please don't take that the wrong way, I had the same kind of problems with my last job. What I really mean to say is…'

He finally seemed to find the appropriate words and relaxed visibly, his smile also becoming more natural and sunny.

'I work at home right now and usually pick up my own son around midday. Naru wants to stay so he can play longer with Gaara, but days are getting cold and I'd really prefer for him to be at home, so... If you don't mind it, I'd have no problem taking Gaara with us and looking after him until you can come and pick him up. I live a few blocks away.'

The man slowly straightened from his bow, looking at the blond haired man with a frown. Did he hear him right? But… what? They were not colleagues nor acquaintances, so the man had no reason for doing so… unless… unless…

'I don't have any money.' he said calmly, standing stiff 'Thank you for the offer but we will manage somehow. Now I'm sorry, I have two other kids waiting for me. Goodbye.'

'Uh, sir-' Sir? What was he, twelve? How old was this guy anyway? He couldn't be much older by perhaps three or four years...or six or seven, but he was already thirty himself!... Almost! 'It's not what you think; I'm not some babysitter or anything like that. Naru doesn't have brothers and it gets lonely at the house, so I'd really appreciate if he could have some company a few more hours.'

'Really!' The other man shot back, turning back on his heels and facing the blond with the most uncomfortable closeness 'Then, if you have so much time and your kid is so lonely why not to take all my kids together at once as I'm always late to all the places they are at! I will give you schedules and nothing in exchange! How does that sound to you?'

He smiled at him smugly as he knew very well that nobody would go for it. The places his kids went to weren't really far away from each other but they weren't too close either. He wouldn't do that even if he had more money and only one child. This offer seemed to be too suspicious – he saw the man for the second time in his life! And what if his intentions were… more dirty?

'What, too afraid that's too many to… take care of?' he drew slowly, feeling that if anything, such offer would be a real help here, but miracles didn't happen and he didn't believe in god anyway. What were the odds?

Minato stepped back, rather surprised by the negative effect his suggestion had had on the man. He hadn't been meaning to help him exactly; it was just that his baby had apparently decided that the redhead was his long lost brother or something, well if it couldn't be helped…

'I'm sorry if my request was out of line. I didn't mean to insult you.' He said calmly with the smile back in place. He tugged at his son, removing his hand from the grip on his pants and taking it in his own.

'Well, my termite is hungry, so I better go feed him… Good night, Mr. Sabaku, Gaara-kun.' he said, waving at the little redhead.

'Bye, Gaara…!' The younger kid said, waving widely at the redhead despite being only two meters away.

The redhead waved back shyly, but not much as he looked at father. Daichi softened his face, replying to the goodbye shortly and without any ads to the words. What was there more to be said? Things never went well and it was just… a too good idea that came from nowhere and that didn't have the right to happen.

'Let's go Gaara, we're going home.' he said and pulled on the redhead lightly, turning around and walking back to the car. The sky was now a dark blue and the stars were shining brightly. The kid tried to walk as fast as him but he failed so he slowed down a bit and let Gaara catch up. Sure, they were in bad situation, but somehow they managed to get out of it alone and this time would be no different, after all he-

'Daddy…'

He stopped and rid himself of his trail of thoughts. The kid sniffled a bit, looking up at him. He noticed how reddened the face was and felt a little regret creeping into his heart, but he was never good at this so he didn't show it in any way.

'What is it, Gaara?' he asked. The kid seemed to have problems speaking up about what had been running around in his head.

'I… 'He started, then grimaced as the new flow of tears started pouring down his cheeks. Daichi instinctively curled his hand a little tighter around the small one 'I'm sorry there is no dinner at home… I didn't mean to…'

The older male stopped and looked at the kid who was now starting to cry again while cuddling the teddy and gnawing on it. It felt bad to look at what he caused.

'So am I.' he spoke finally and let go of the little hand. He couldn't look at him anymore and tugging at the kid when things felt unpleasant to him also seemed to be inappropriate. Gaara, instead of walking in a slow pace just stood in place, hiccupping, then he ran back to him with a loud wail ('Daddy!'), obviously wanting to be comforted. But he did not have strength for that.

'Temari, get your brother to the car.' He said, opening the door to the back seats. Kankuro was already asleep while his sister was quietly observing everything through the window. 'Gaara, calm down. Your brother is sleeping.' The door closed with a loud 'clack'. Good that his kids were at least obedient to his words. Gaara, though he was still crying, was doing it in a more quiet tone. Tomorrow would be a hard day. But they would manage. Wouldn't they?

#+#+#+#+#+#

They didn't. The clock worked better this time, so they didn't get up very late but when the point of putting on the shoes came up Gaara suddenly started crying and saying that he was not going anywhere and that he was not, he wasn't, he didn't want, no, no, no!... It took a whole twenty minutes to understand what was wrong with the kid. Gaara was hungry.

And in the radio there was this a little too vivid and a little too cheery advertisement of some 'Funny buny' which meant some kind of a bun with sweet filling – he didn't quite get what it was as he was not listening closely. But it seemed that their poor diet was too much for them all and the youngest of them had reached his breaking point.

And it really felt awful when the youngest child just laid there, hysteric, screaming that he wouldn't go anywhere until he'd got 'funny buny' as the other two stood there, ready to go out but with hunger written in their eyes and yet, only by a strong will or maybe because of the responsibility of being older and therefore not being able to act childish – stood with sad faces. Thought he saw that Kankuro, would probably break in tears in any minute now if he could. Daichi was nearly half an hour late and it didn't seem to work well on what's happened before.

He looked at the kid and felt helpless, beaten and wished Karura was here so he wouldn't have to act like a bad parent and scream at Gaara. A good method said to ignore the hysteria and explain to the kid that he couldn't afford any bun, no matter if it was big, small or fun size.

But the time was working against him and against all of them so he just turned to the other kids and smiled with no real smile in it.

'We don't have money for a 'funny buny'.' he told them and they knew very well. Kankuro looked at the floor, hiding his hands in the pockets while Temari clenched her jaw.

'Buy it for him.' she said quietly, almost in silent tone 'I can go without lunch today.'

Daichi looked at her with a frown.

'I can't really agree to that-'

Kankuro coughed and took out a hand in which lied some poor savings, probably from some interests he did behind the back of all of them as he couldn't give all of them money every day.

'We're running late.' He added quietly. Gaara was still lying on the floor, crying.

He looked back at his kids with remorse in his eyes and took the money from them with the most painful gesture he ever did. It was not supposed to be that way. Not yet. Not for that. It was too early.

'Thank you.' He whispered almost with no audible voice and stroked them on their heads lightly

'Come on Gaara. We will buy you a 'funny buny'.'

And finally, Gaara moved.

#+#+#+#+#+#

The shopping went smoothly. The only problem was his guilt as he did not use his own money to buy junk food full of calories with a taste of 'mango and blueberry' that had more 'E's in its ingredients than his pack of cigarettes (unused as he get rid of the bad habit some time ago – it was too expensive). But getting on the road was worse. The time they used on getting into the car and going to a drive through managed to get them into a nice street jam and he could only sit and curse silently, watching the clock in the car. Temari was late… Kankuro was late… now Gaara was late…

'Can… can I have a bite?'

'Kankuro!'

'What! I only want one bite! Don't tell me you don't want to try it too! It's our money!'

'Ours or not, don't try asking him or he will cry again! We give father too many worries already! Restrain yourself! Gaara, is that good?'

'Yumm.'

He looked at the mirror that hung in front of his eyes, seeing how Temari looked through the window, pale and trying to ignore the loud 'om nom noms' as Gaara engulfed himself into fat and sugar and Kankuro who, on the other hand, watched openly and greedily at the piece of a sweet. And just when he looked away to take out his phone that had been ringing…

'I can't take it! Just one bite!'

'Aaaan~~!'

'Kankuro!'

'What! What?'

'Let go of it!

He looked back shouting something along the lines of 'Calm down!' and picked the phone up as the 'down' part made it go into rather loud 'hello'.

'Yes, Sabaku speaking…'

'Mr. Sabaku? Where are you? Chief is in a really foul mood today and I can't really cover up for you anymore! I'm running out of excuses!'

'Ah, I'm really sorry Yato, but you see-'

'Aaaan! My buny!'

'Kankuro, stop it! Stop it right now! It's his bun, you dummy, you stupid, let go, let go, let go!...'

'Ow, ow, ouch! Stop hitting me, ow, I'm letting go, I'm letting go you stupid girl! But I only wanted to have a bite!'

'-and I'm just on the Spica Street, but I need to get my kids to school-'

'How many times do I have to tell you it's his bun! Grow up a little! He is just a kid!'

'Are you kidding me? There's no way I can hold up for you for another two hours! You will have to stay in at work, I swear. And pray to not be fired, the contract which we strived to make for so long got into a real bad condition and the boss is breathing fire-'

'So what if he is just a kid? I'm a kid too! I'm just a year older! And I only wanted a bite! I don't want to steal it from him! I'm just hungry, you know? Hungry!'

'…please, it's urgent, if I don't make it on time today I'll have children's welfare on my back and you know very well how it is here and that I can't do that-'

'Do you think I'm not hungry too? I am! But that's what it is to be an adult! To give and not to take, but you're obviously just a stupid little baby, too little to understand that!'

'-I'm sorry, pal. Can't be done. Just try to arrive as fast as you can.

*click*

He stared at the phone in silence as if it killed his friend, then banged his head on the wheel as he saw how the lights had changed but no car had moved – ad the tempo was so slow that it didn't affect their car at all. He sat there, trying not to think about anything at all as the whole situation seemed to worsen. Was it really possible for that teacher to call children's welfare? What was her problem? Couldn't she see that he TRIED? He tried so hard! He even spoiled his kids in such a bad situation as this… And speaking of which, they were oddly silent for the row they had made just a few seconds ago. He turned back and saw why.

Kankuro and Temari hugged themselves to their respective sides of the car, each looking out a different window as they cried quietly, visibly trying to hide their faces from the world. And in the middle of them sat Gaara with this colorful 'funny buny' in his lap, his face covered with sugar and jam, but he just stared in front of himself, his eyes pregnant with tears.

'Gaara…' he spoke up quietly as the other kids didn't move an inch – he knew very well that once they sat in such positions they didn't want to be bothered at all, so he didn't even try. 'You're not eating?...'

'I dun like it.' said the red haired kid, staring at his lap with saddened face.

'But you wanted it so much?'

'But I dun like it n'ymore.'

The man sighed and stretched to take it out of Gaara's hands, now sweetened and sticky.

'Then maybe your brother or sister would want to end it? Kankuro? Temari?'

He reached the bun towards both of them, waiting for one of them to take it from him, but both siblings shook their heads, as much as they could while still hiding their faces.

'No.'

'Take it. I don't like blueberries.'

'Me neither.'

He looked at them with pain, feeling bad he couldn't make it easier for any of them and slowly took the bun to look at it. It was half wet from saliva, torn at the middle, full of sugar and goo. Not what he ate but probably something he'd eat later, in hiding, so as not to torture his kids with the vision of it. He packed it carefully in foliage and opened the glove compartment, where it could fit. Once he closed it tight – Gaara started crying.

'God, have mercy on me…'

#+#+#+#+#+#

Once he got to work – it was a miracle he got it to his seat without being noticed. But that didn't mean he got away from his chief.

'Mr. Sabaku.' he said to him once he got close to his office 'I'm glad that you decided to join us at last. Do you have any interesting ideas of how to get out of the situation? You know how things are because you, of course. No? Not at all? Then it probably means you will be staying here right? How about… five hours? What, you can't? You can? But of course you can! Nobody does the longest work hours than you, Mr. Sabaku. It's really good that you agreed. Really good.' Then he moved on. He looked at the clock. He was not that much late. Not even four hours! He made it in three and a half, maybe forty minutes… And now, five hours… FIVE HOURS… of work.

He felt dizzy. There was no way possible to get to kindergarten at that hour and not see the Northern Star up above the head. That screamed 'abuse' - not giving kid dinner, forgetting about it, psychically and physically suffering and who knew what more… He had no other choice. He was cornered and the knife was dangerously close to his neck. He looked at the back of the chief and picked up a phone.

'Hello? Kindergarten 'Three hazelnuts'? Could you give me a list of phones of the parents whose kids attend the group b? Please, it's urgent.'

He looked nervously at the back of his chief. It seemed that the man had no intention to go back to his office at all and he could also turn and come back to him in any moment. But if he got caught red hande d- phoning privately somewhere. It would end badly. Such things were strictly forbidden. Especially for such an incompetent worker as him. He noted the number in silence, still watching his back in fear and quietly dialed the number. 'Beeep-' the chief stirred, ending the conversation and it seemed as if he was going to return. As if he had not had enough bad luck today. 'Beeep-'

'C'mon, pick up…' he muttered to the phone while tapping his shoe on the floor nervously. He looked back towards the chief. Shit. He was obviously coming back; he was getting closer- 'Beeep-'-he'd have to hang up, God, it made no sense, but he needed to make the call, he needed it to be done, he couldn't just let the woman call wherever she wanted, those were his kids! Damn it. He had to hang up, he couldn't call anywhere, he was hanging up-

'Ah, chief! Here you are, sir, I'm so glad I found you, I have this urgent project that I need to talk to you about right now…'

'Really? But I have urgent things to talk about with Mr. Sabaku…'

'It can't wait, it will take only a few seconds, chief, please…'

They both vanished behind a wall.

Daichi let go of the air he had been holding in and laid his head on the desk. Thanks, Yura. I'm in your debt. I'm really, really… 'Beee-' 'click' He heard a voice. He finally heard a voice. And more over, it was the voice of the man from yesterday. It was a voice he recognized. He had made up many good reasons in order to make it sound heroic, meaningful and good - even threatening, but none of those came out of his mouth. He laid with his head on the desk and felt his tears - bitter against his throat as he swallowed; and listened to the questions uttered on the other side of the line.

And what if… what if miracles really did happen?... Then it would be a sin to not answer them when they came to their family. He gulped down the unsaid smart comment and went for what he really, really needed to say.

'Help…' And now he could only pray that his call for help wouldn't go unanswered.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and it lasted more than the average three seconds that casual confusion warranted. After the pause, the blond man's voice finally worked again, this time it sounded more than just a little bit confused. 'H-…hello?'

'Are you tall, blond and Samaritan for no reason?'

There was another pause, though not as extended as the first one.

'Who is this? How did you get my number?'

'Through Santa Claus - he works in kindergarten. 'Three hazelnuts', sounds familiar?' Well, it seemed that the man had not recognized him as he was getting a hold of him just at first… call. He couldn't blame him, though. He probably knew what to expect at least to some extent but he had not expected him at all. 'My name is Sabaku Daichi and I am a father of Sabaku Gaara. We met yesterday, I believe.'

'Ah… Oh! Yeah!' there was finally some recognition in the voice and with it followed immediate relaxation. The tone changed completely to the same easy, friendly one from the previous day. 'Sorry, I thought it was a prank call or something… Is something wrong?'

He opened his mouth, but stopped, seeing as some Sajin brat walked by – you never knew when someone overheard too much of wrong parts of the conversation. He coughed lightly into his hand and readjusted his phone on the shoulder, pretending to take some notes from the other line.

'To tell the truth, Mr. Uzumaki… yes, there is a problem.' He looked around and frowned, stopping his notes. What was he doing? Did he really think that anyone was interested in what he wrote? People could easily overhear what he spoke just like that 'It seems… no it's obvious, that I have to stay longer at work again… not for long, really, just… just…'

He breathed. Who was he trying to convince – himself or God in Heaven?

'…Actually, for very long. Five hours. That means I will be late, I have to pick up the other kids as well. I have a small favor to ask…' He closed his eyes and took a breath. Somehow it got harder now. He really didn't know the man after all. 'Could you… could you take care of Gaara today?' he said, looking around. No, the chief was not back yet ' You don't have to take him home or feed him or anything… just sit with him there so nobody would think he is alone… especially the teachers… they all are very… protective…' Somehow he couldn't put it straight even to himself.

'Are you serious…?'

There was another pause on the line, but this one was interrupted much faster.

'Of course I'll take him home and feed him, how can you expect me to leave a little kid like that?' there was a sigh on the other side of the line and some sort of rustling sound. 'Well, you already have my number… do you have anything to write with? I'll give you my address. Just remember to call the school to tell them that Gaara-kun can come with me or you will have to bail me from jail for kidnapping before you get out of your shift.'

'Tell them you have my permission, tape it or something. I can't really phone anywhere from where I am now.' The pencil scribbled fast as he wrote down the address – he had never been there before, but it was good occasion to get to know new places. 'And please, don't overdo it. I really am short on money this year. Such is my luck.' He muttered, folding the piece of paper with the address and hiding it in his pocket. He looked around again. Still no danger in the horizon.

'Listen… don't forget about his teddy or he will go nuts… and please – no 'Funny bunies'. It might not end well.'

'I`ll have them call you, in a few hours, then.' the younger man said calmly. 'Good luck with your work, and call me again if you need anything else.'

The saffron haired man sighed, feeling as if a big weight had been lifted from his shoulders. No, nothing was all right. Yes, everything stayed just the same as before. But somehow, everything felt better.

'Thank you.' He whispered through his teeth and slowly laid the phone back in its base. It ringed quietly, giving of a signal he always recognized as stress that came with the business conversations he held in this place. But now it felt genuinely different. Because it meant that his family was safe. Still. With a tired, but steady smile – he got to work again. When chief came back – he had nothing on him. Maybe this day was not supposed to be labeled the worst day of his life after all.

Or maybe it was. It came suddenly, like all blows you don't expect. With a small difference – he should have actually expected this one. Just as he was done talking to some kindergarten caretaker, who, as predicted, called him ('My name is Asuma, Asuma Sarutobi… phleze, excooz mah mumbling but talkeen with too cigaretteh in mah mouf is still kinda hawd and ah don get too breakh four them soh ah hav'ta do too at onse, hahaha') and assured him that yes, Gaara was supposed to go with Uzumaki's family, the phone rang again.

And he didn't expect any calls. But that alone didn't even signify anything to him. How foolish he was. It had to be exhaustion. He hadn't slept for more than three hours in the past two days. Just like Gaara. Nightmares.

'Hello?' he asked with refreshed tone, smiling to anyone who might've troubled him after a nice 'talkeen'.

'Good afternoon, Daichi. Still at work? Ah, too bad, too bad…'

His smile froze on his lips. Yashamaru.

Shit.

'What do you want?' he muttered, looking around frantically. But luckily, no one who would have gotten suspicious was around 'I told you to not call me at work. What's happened?'

'Oh, but how could I not? I tried contacting you through your homeland's stationary phone and all I heard was 'the number you're trying to reach is unviable'… have you changed it again or forgotten to pay bills? For the hope of God, I hope it's not the latter, that would really do you no good, Daichi-kun.' He cursed. He forgot to pay the bills. How come? He always remembered paying them! Always when he had money… Well, maybe it was because this time he didn't have the money.

'What do you want.' He repeated licking his lips. His mouth suddenly felt dry and his skin felt itchy 'I have the work to do; I can't waste time with small talk.'

The voice on the other side laughed warmly, almost as if he was a silly oblivious child. He felt the hair rising at the base of his neck. He could almost feel the mistake he did.

'Such a hard worker you are, Daichi-kun.' So now it was 'Daichi-kun.' He swallowed, though his throat felt like a sand-paper 'But if you're there, in the middle of work, then… who is with the kids?'

'A… with the kids… the kids are with…' he spoke quickly, trying to find the right words or at least good ones. Nothing believable came to his mind. 'They're… they're…'

The most righteous thing to say would be that they were with Yashamaru because it was Yashamaru who could take care of them and had time as the only living family member. But he couldn't have that, right? After all – it was that sweet blond uncle who wanted to take the kids away from him. Their sweet blond… He stopped, starring at the note with the scribbled address.

'They're with uncle.' He spoke calmly, though he felt how his muscles budged at the words 'Safe. And sound.'

Dead silence answered him for a moment.

He heard the beginning of the laughter being cut off.

'What?' Yashamaru said a tone of disbelief 'But Daichi-kun, I am their uncle. Who did you give your innocent and harmless children to?'

'An uncle. A very trustworthy friend of mine.'

The disapproving click of a tongue could be heard on the other side this time.

'Very well.' He said in bitter, disapproving tone 'I hope then I can meet that u n c l e soon, Daichi.' Then the telephone clicked. He welcomed the beeping with a sigh and a feeling of fear - so much for a new family member.

#+#+#+#+#+#

He looked at it. He stared. And he couldn't believe it. It was huge. And so clean! And smelled so nice… That place, that flat where Naruto lived in. And it was so full of light and nice colors… so unlike his house.

'Teddy…' he murmured into the toy as he let go of the hand of that strange blond man who gave him a pear yesterday 'I think that we went to heaven. Act your age.'

He didn't really know what was supposed to mean, that 'acting your age' thing, but every time he entered some very important place with his father, daddy told him that and seemed to be very satisfied when he just walked with him quietly. Of course, he could've told teddy to be quiet, but somehow it sounded more important and more mature. Like his dad.

Standing beside the door, he peaked inside but didn't dare to go in. Somehow, he felt doubtful.

'But daddy… but daddy told me to not talk with strangers.' He said after having spent half an hour walking to some unknown place that he had no idea how to get back from. But somehow it didn't seem connected. 'And, and, to not go with them.' He added, though his face was already flushed with excitement. He skipped from foot to foot shyly while wriggling the plush in his hands. 'I-I'll wait here.'

Minato hadn't given the man's (Daiki? Daisuke? He was sure it started with D…) call much thought at first. He had been taking his mid-morning nap - also known as extended sleep as it was interrupted in order to take his favored son to daycare- so he had barely registered what the man said, scribbled 'pick up redhead' on the notepad he had next to his bed and gone right back to sleep until midday. It wasn't until he was done re-brushing his teeth and consumed a banana that he checked the sleep-scribbled notes and realized he had to call the preschool to let them known that he'd be taking Gaara home with him.

That's when he realized that he hadn't asked the man (Daishiro or Daitaro, perhaps…?) if Gaara had any allergies. Naruto wasn't allergic to anything he had made him eat so far, and he had been running allergic tests on him twice in the past three years just to be sure, but how could he know about the redhead? And just asking the kid wouldn't get him anywhere. But schools were supposed to keep records of those things, so he ended up asking the teacher while his overexcited kid went to inform his Best Friend (TM) that he'd be coming home with them, and he had practically dragged him home through the short distance that separated them from his flat.

'But daddy… but daddy told me to not talk with strangers. And, and, to not go with them. I-I'll wait here.' Naruto wouldn't have that, and he practically ripped the jacket off the redhead in his haste to push him through the door.

'Don't be silly, Kurenai-sensei told you that your dad had said it was okay for you to come, remember? And besides, besides, come, I want you to see room, and my games, and my bed and my-'

Minato covered the child's mouth and hugged him to himself so he would stop overwhelming the redhead, but Naruto kept talking, though muffled and he kept gesticulating as if he hadn't noticed. 'That's very true, Gaara-kun.' he said from his crouched position, smiling at the kid friendly. 'It's really dangerous to go with strangers and you should never do that. But it's also dangerous for little kids to stay out so late, and you know I'm Naruto's dad and your dad knows me too. I talked with him this morning and gave him my address, and he will come and pick you up as soon as he's done with work.'

Gaara stilled and looked at him as if he had heard some shocking news. And he probably had as he looked around, seemingly sucking up the realization.

'He will come for me here?'

Minato nodded.

'Yes, as soon a he`s done with work. He was worried because he has to stay a little later than usual, but as soon as he`s done, he`ll come."

Slowly, with a massive load of hesitance, the redhead stepped inside and walked closer, looking at Minato and wriggling the toy the same way he did when he had been standing outside. The blond man didn't seem to be suspicious, but he felt uneasy as he was never asked to go to this place and he felt intimidated.

He was wondering if he should tell him to not eat him because if they ate him daddy would get mad at them and mad daddy was really SCARY, he then remembered that he couldn't be that tasty because he didn't have anything good to eat and then, and then- His stomach churned, making a loud audible sound.

'Be quiet, teddy.' He said, his cheeks flushing pink as he looked at his feet. Some time ago father taught them that being hungry and asking for food every time they felt hungry was a shameful act and that it was really bad to admit it. True, he broke the rule today, but that was because he felt so hungry that his tears came to him and he just wanted to eat and… His stomach twisted some more, churning a bit.

'That's not me.' He said and hugged the plush even tighter while looking away. He could feel how the expression on his face got sadder and sadder. He didn't want anyone to know about it. Daddy would get mad again and a mad daddy was really, REALLY scary.

'I can see that.' Minato chuckled and loosened the hold on his own kid, (who gasped for air theatrically) and crouched lower so he was staring at the toy's height. 'Now, Teddy-san looks very hungry, Gaara-kun, and it is lunch time. We can't have that; I heard that teddy's have very nasty tempers when they get hungry. But I'm not sure what they eat…. Do you think he would like some spaghetti with tomato sauce?'

The redhead looked back at the blond, his gaze perplexed. What's 'spu-getee'?'

'Long noodles.' his friend replied, holding his hands apart more or less at the appropriate length of the pasta.

Gaara looked at the blond quizzically, trying to decipher how long such noodles would look like. And what would they look like on the table? The big man probably had very long plates. He curled closer to teddy, still not taking his gaze away from Naruto.

'Okay.' He said finally 'Teddy said he agrees.' And besides, he really wanted to see that kind of noodles.

Satisfied with the success of the suggestion, he shooed the kids off to play a bit in Naruto's room while he boiled the water and heated up some frozen sauce he had made a few weeks ago, While he waited for the noodles to be done, he finished cleaning up what he had left from last night. Minato had tried to tidy up the mess usually left over from work, but the pile of books and dictionaries that he was currently using were still in one of the corners, precariously balanced in three piles that almost reached Naruto's height. His notes were everywhere from the sofa to the telephone table, and he still couldn't figure out where he'd left his glasses and much less remember when he had seen them last time.

He'd just have to go with his old prescription until he found them. If he found them. The reason he had the new ones was that he'd lost the last ones. How could a single person lose three pairs in less than a year? He just shoved the papers onto the first half-empty drawer he found, finished clearing the table of the last vestiges of last night's 'inspirathron' and set the dishes in place. Once he judged the time to be about done, he called for the kids to go wash their hands and he heated the salsa. He was just about put the sauce on top of the noodles, when he remembered that he hadn't asked Gaara if he liked them and so he decided it was better to leave it and ask him when they ate. He already knew what he himself and his kid wanted.

'Did you wash your hands?' he asked distractedly as Naruto climbed up on the chair and stared expectantly at his plate.

'Yeees~'

'Show me.' Rolling his eyes in a way that just had to hurt, the blond showed his still wet hands to his father, receiving an appraising smile. 'Here we go.' he said, placing the salad bowl in the middle of the table and then leaving to get a saucer for the tomato sauce and a smaller bowl with some cheese.

'Gaara-kun, will you and Teddy-san want them like this, or with sauce?' he asked as he served the kid a medium ration. Not that he wasn't going to give him more, but it was always less of a mess when they had some room on the plate, not to mention it was a good way to make sure the food wouldn't get cold.

The redhead looked at the plate with curiosity, only to stare back at Minato, his face obviously confused. That was 'spu-getee'? But it looked just like in the shops… or maybe in the shops was what was here. He couldn't really remember all the food he didn't eat. They also didn't look long at all, all curled up on the plate. But this quickly went away as he sat down. He felt the nice smell of steaming warm food and looked at Minato again.

'Teddy says he likes it with sauce.' He added after a long pause, but then he opened his mouth again 'I'm not hungry.'

To emphasize his words he put his plush higher up on the table, but it was a little too late for hiding the loud sound coming from his stomach, but he played it out as if nothing happened.

'He is just a baby so he can be. I'm an adult.'

Minato laughed.

'I can see that, but it might be too hot for Teddy. You should try it first to make sure it's right, I heard in a story that teddy's are very picky on how hot their food has to be for them to eat it.'

'Really?' Naruto asked, standing up on his chair to pour himself some water. Minato stared, tempted to do it himself, but the kid seemed to have control of the situation, so he let him be.

'Gaara, do you want water or orange juice?' the child asked while holding up the water. Minato concentrated on adding some tomato to the dish and then cut the spaghetti in to small pieces so the kid wouldn't have any problem eating it, then he quickly did the same with his own kid's plate but adding a lot more of sauce on his.

'Ah, before I forget-' Minato disappeared for a moment, then came back with two large, bright orange napkins and quickly tied one around Naruto's neck, following through with the redhead. 'Eating spaghetti is a bit tricky, let's keep your clothes clean.'

'Okay.' The child said finally, smearing his hands on it as if they somehow got dirty in-between washing them in the sink and sitting on the chair. And actually a few fat, red stains could be seen on the napkin. He looked at Minato again; his gaze even more vigilant and he closed his mouth tight. 'I haven't done anything.' He said with determination. Then he glanced at Naruto and stared at him 'Not at all.'

Minato looked at the kid with a frown, then at his own. Naruto seemed to be busy pouring the water with a concentration worthy of a master surgeon in an open-skull surgery. 'Gaara-kun, did you get hurt?'

The redhead looked back at Minato, his gaze still full of awareness as if he was ready to get up and leap from the place. Why was the big blond suddenly looking at him like that? He acted as if nothing had happened so why was he acting like that? Had he been discovered?

'No.' he said with more force, hiding his hands behind himself as though he hid something 'Teddy is not going to get a napkin?'

'Teddies don`t make that much mess.' he looked at Naruto- still pouring the water. Almost drop by drop. 'Gaara-kun, did Naruto hurt you?'

Naruto nearly fell in his haste to turn around, but he had been expecting such a reaction so he caught the water easily.

'Daddy, I didn't!'

Gaara's eyes widened at the realization as he watched Naruto and Minato exchange stares. After hearing the question he stared back at the bigger blond, his lips half open in fear.

'No!' he squeaked finally, but seeing that it didn't seem to budge the older man, he finally leapt from his chair and ran towards Naruto, catching him like he always held his teddy and hugging him in the same protective way. 'No, no, no, no! I'm not hurt! He didn't do anything!' he repeated loudly, staring at the blond as if he almost changed into a children eating dragon. 'I won't do that again! I promise! But he didn't do anything!'

Minato couldn`t help but smile a little, even though he mostly kept his unconvinced stare.

'What is that red thing, then? What happened?'

The redhead stilled then flushed a little and moved, hiding his face behind Naruto so he couldn't be visible, but still he held on to the blond like he was afraid of letting go.

'I didn't do anything.' He spoke again shyly but stubbornly and got quiet, as if that had explained everything. After three or maybe four long and pregnant seconds a very quiet, but yet very loud 'splat' could be heard.

That was it for his cover. It would seem that running up to Naruto that fast wasn't that great of an idea. Not only did it make his pants soak faster, but it also let go of few noodles that was between him and chair, like a very visible and undeniable evidence of his actions. Why couldn't this man, for example make potatoes for dinner? Potatoes weren't such slick things once you got them into your pockets!

Minato stared at the table for several moments, his brain slowly catching up with what had happened. He couldn't help it then - he started laughing.

'Gaara-kun.' he said once he got himself under control. 'I made enough spaghetti for you, Naruto, Teddy and me. And I think there's even going to be leftovers, see?'

He pointed at the salad bowl that was still nearly full despite that both plates had already been served.

'You don't need to take it home to eat. Besides, it will be cold by then. Naru-' the blond perked up, surprisingly enough still not protesting against being clutched to the redhead that way. 'Go help Gaara get changed and lend him one of your pants, I'll clean those after lunch.' He didn't want to have to give the kid back in such a terrible state the first time he had been allowed to come to someone's home.

'Okaaay.' his son jumped down the chair and dragged the redhead back to the room, saying something along the lines of taking pasta only when you had a tapper at hand. He decided to give the kid`s plates a run on the microwave while they got changed as they were only lukewarm, and set on cleaning the mess on the floor before they could spread it. Linoleum, was there anything more beautiful in the world? You could wipe linoleum with a tissue and it wouldn't leave a stain. Well, maybe permanent ink would, he thought. He gave a large black spat close to the door a guilty look. Better there than the carpet anyway.