The wind gently blew as Gaara and I stared at each other. "You were this guy's babysitter?!" Naruto asked. "Mm-hm." I confirmed with a closed-eye smile. "Nanny..." Gaara said. "You were the woman who took care of Gaara?" The female companion asked. 

"But that was a long time ago." Kankuro said. 

"Indeed, it was," I looked towards the sky and gave a soft sigh with a smile. "My, time sure does fly by, doesn't it? It's very nice to see you again, Gaara." I said, looking at him. I walked over to him and placed my hand on his head. 

"Nanny... You look like you haven't changed a bit." Gaara said. "And it looks like you've grown," I replied. "But I wonder... What are you doing here in the Leaf Village? I thought there was a certain rule that you're not allowed to enter another village without permission?"

"We have passes, and we're here for the Chunin Exams." Gaara answered. "Chunin Exams? It must be that time already. And I take it your skills have improved, yes?" I asked. Gaara nodded his head. "I'm very proud of you, Gaara. You've come a long way." I praised. 

"All right, you've got some explaining to do, Mom!" Naruto yelled. "And I'd be happy to answer all your question at lunch. Would you like to come with us, Gaara?" I offered. He shook his head. "My siblings and I have to get registered." He explained. 

"I understand," I replied, a little disappointed that he couldn't join us. "Bye." Gaara and his siblings began walking away again and I turned to Naruto and the others. "Shall we go?" I asked, closing my eyes with a smile. 

*****

"You really used to babysit that guy, Mom?" Naruto asked. "Of course. I mentioned I was a traveler," I said as I sipped my tea.

"When I went to the Sand Village, I found Gaara playing by himself. I decided to play with him until it got dark. I took him back to his father and he was amazed when Gaara told him I stayed and played with him. After that, his father proposed a job for me as Gaara's babysitters. I gladly accepted and took care of Gaara. That was until my services were no longer required from Gaara's father. The reason for him letting me go was unknown. But before I left, Gaara gave me a small hourglass necklace that he made by hand. I thought it was sweet, so I promised him I'd see him again someday. Ever since that day, I've never taken it off." 

"Aww! That so cute!" Moegi cooed. "But why'd he call you 'Nanny'? I thought your name was 'Haru'?" Udon said. I giggled at his comment. "Silly, that is my name. 'Nanny' was what Gaara called me as his babysitter. I actually found it cute." I said. 

"What was Gaara like when you babysat for him?" Moegi asked.

"At first, he was a shy little boy. He hardly spoke to me and whenever I did try to speak to him, he'd blush and hug his teddy bear tightly like I was going to take it away. It took a while, but he started opening up to me. Gaara was so cute, and still is may I mind you, and such a joy to be with." I explained.

"So, what made him get all dark and scary-looking?" Konohamaru asked. "Beats me," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "But I'd really like to know what happened to him, what caused him to change?"  

I took another sip of my tea and looked at Naruto, noticing he looked a bit disappointed. "Is something wrong, Naruto? You haven't touched your food. Did they get the order wrong?" I asked. "No," He answered, shaking his head. "Everything's fine." 

I gave a worried look because it was unlike Naruto to not eat his ramen. I mean, he loves ramen. He'd always eat it if I put it in front of him. Maybe he has a fever? I placed my hand on her cheek, then slid it under his headband to feel his forehead. 

"I'm not sick, Mom. I told you, I'm fine." Naruto said, pushing my hand away. "Naruto..." He frowned slightly and turned his head away from me. 

After I paid for lunch, Naruto and I said goodbye to his friends and we walked home. Once we entered the house, I closed the door and locked it. "Are you sure you're feeling okay, Naruto? You hardly said a word at lunch." I mentioned. 

"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I'm gonna hang out in my room for a bit." Naruto said. "Oh... Okay." I said, watching him got o his room. I really hope he's feels okay. 

Naruto's POV

I sat down on my bed as I gazed at the floor with a frown while hugging my pillow to my chest. I hate to admit it, but I'm a little jealous of Gaara. Mom seems like he really liked him, and maybe she still does. Did she meet Gaara before me? After me?

I don't wanna go ask Mom because I didn't want to sound like I was jealous. I mean, yeah, I'm jealous. But I don't want Mom to know that, and I didn't want to sound like I was being a jerk. 

I started getting a little anxious when I started imagining Mom getting rid of me and adopting Gaara. I quickly shook my head while closing my eyes. 

'No, don't think that, Naruto. Don't make yourself go crazy. Mom would never do that. There's no way she'd try and get rid of me. She loves me... right?' I thought. I fell on my side, lying down on my bed, as I still had hold of my pillow. 

I'm scared... 

I don't want to be alone again...

I don't want to be abandoned again...

Please don't leave me... Mom...

Haru's POV

"Naruto? Are you okay in there? Would you like me to bring you some dinner?" I called as I knocked on his door. Naruto's been in his room all day and hasn't come out once. I was starting to get really worried now. 

"Naruto?" I slowly opened his door to find him sitting on the side of his bed with a picture frame between his hands. "Naruto?" I repeated, walking over to him. "Is everything okay?"

He didn't answer as I sat beside him. I looked at the picture frame he had in his hands and noticed it was a picture of us on his tenth birthday. "I remember when we took that picture," I mentioned with a smile. "You looked so adorable with cake icing all over your face."

"Mom..." Naruto said, quietly. "Yes?" I answered. "Do you... love me?" He asked as his eyes were glued to the picture. "What do you mean? Of course I love you, Naruto." I answered. "You wouldn't... leave me, right?" He said.

"No," I shook my head. "Why would I ever do that? That's sounds awful."

Naruto glanced at me, then looked back down at the picture. "Naruto, I'm worried about you. Please tell me what's wrong." I pleaded. Naruto stayed quiet for a moment before facing me. "Back at the restaurant, you were talking about how much you liked being around Gaara, so I..." Naruto trailed off as he looked at the ground. 

I took the side of his face in my hand and made him look at me. "What is it? You can tell me." I said. Naruto shut his eyes tightly and slapped my hand away. "Why did you adopt me?!" He snapped. "Naruto?" I said, taken back by his tone.

"Why did you adopt me?! Was it to take pity on the lonely kid?! Did someone force you to adopt me?! Like some kind of cruel joke?!" Naruto yelled as he stood up. "What? What on earth are you talking about?" I asked. 

"If Gaara was such a joy to be with, then why did you adopt me and not him?! Why adopt someone who killed your parents?!

"Naruto-"

"Admit it! Go on, admit it! You hate me! You've always have and you always will! Go ahead, say it!"

I frowned, stood up, and walked over to him before firmly slapping Naruto's cheek. "Don't put words in my mouth and stop acting crazy," I wiped the tears that ran down Naruto's cheeks, then gently grabbed the sides of his face and made him look at me.

"Naruto, I don't know what made you act like this, but I would never choose Gaara over you. You're my son, and I'd never try to get rid of you." I said. "But... The Nine-Tails... You parents..." Naruto said, new tears coming into his eyes.

"You may have the beast that killed my parents living inside you, but that's not your fault. You were just an infant at the time, so don't blame yourself," I hugged Naruto close to my chest and closed my eyes.

"You wanna know why I adopted you? Because I made a promise that I'd come back to you, and I did. And not only that, but I fell in love with you, Naruto." I confessed. "Love?" Naruto repeated, in which I nodded.

"I fell in love with that happy little boy I met long ago. He was able to fill my heart with so much joy that no other child could. After spending those happy times with that boy, I knew I couldn't leave him again. In fact, I didn't want to," I said, gently stroking Naruto's hair. 

"Monster or not, you're still that happy little boy I grew to love, Naruto. And I'd never abandon you." I said."You'd really... never abandon me?" Naruto asked. "Never in a million years. I love you, Naruto. Do you know how much I worry about you?"

"No." Naruto said, shaking his head. "24/7. Why do you think I'm so protective over you. I want to make sure you have everything you have and live happily. That's how much I love you." I said. Naruto hugged my tightly, burying his face in my chest.

"I love you, too, Mom. I'm sorry, I yelled at you. I was just scared you were going to leave me and I'd be alone again." Naruto apologized. "It's okay, Naruto. I forgive you. It's okay," I said, holding him tightly. "No matter what, I'm always going to be here for you."