Luckily, Naruto had an ongoing war with Kakashi. The silver haired man would bring over healthier food and insist that Naruto eat it, and the blonde would stash it away in ever more creative places to avoid eating it. The result was regular food hidden all over the place, mostly hidden by ramen cups.

Gemini fought the blush that was trying to get deeper, and frantically searched for something to say. She blurted out the first thing that popped into her head. "I had a crazy dream last night." She said, then realized that he might think it was a nightmare, and corrected herself quickly. "I mean, it was strange. Y'know that Dosu guy, the one that looks like he's got a haystack on his back? Well, I dreamed he was on the beach, only the tide was out so you couldn't see any water anywhere. And then this huge wave came out of nowhere and swallowed him up, but the wave was bright red instead off blue. Like it wasn't water at all, but blood. Weird, huh?" She babbled, embarrassed by just how insane her dream sounded.

Yugito could only stare at what Naruto was hiding behind the million and one ramen cups that seemed to be in every flavor for a few seconds before bringing a palm to her face and smacking herself with it. "Why does it not surprise me..." she muttered.

'Perhaps you can change him Kitten...for the better,' the Nibi said as she started waking up from her 'cat nap' as she would put it. But, she too could see the crazy nature in front of her and her kitten.

'Perhaps...' she thought back as she reached into the counter, for once glad that Naruto was as tall as she was. Once she gathered the necessary ingredients, she rummaged through his fridge before finding some eggs, some milk, decent meat and cheese. Closing the fridge, she noticed the drawer underneath the oven. After putting the ingredients down on the counter, she knealed down to pick out a decent/usable frying pan. Getting up and closing the door with her foot, she started making omelets.

Gaara just listened contently to her as she continued to ramble for a few seconds, actually surprised that she remembered such an event, even while asleep. Once she had finished, he debated between telling her the truth or a lie. Seeing as they hadn't told her about the Invasion, and probably wouldn't, he didn't want to lie to her again. "That wasn't a dream. The Sound Nin known as Dosu tried ending my existence, and by extent yours as well, by trying to take a preemptive strike. I just merely responded. As such Dosu's blood was able to quench my mother's thirst...at least for a while," he said in a monotonous voice, especially since it wasn't anything new to the redhead.

As soon as the smell of cooking food reached him, Naruto started twitching from his position on the couch. Half awake, he sniffed the air, then shot bolt upright. "Food!!" He shouted as he woke up fully, the sound of his own voice startling him so much that he jumped and fell off the couch in a tangle of blankets. "Oof! Ow..."

Gemini blinked, her mouth hanging open for a second before her mind caught up, reminding her that this was Gaara she was talking to, and therefore what he said wasn't all that surprising. Still, it bothered her a bit that he persisted in referring to the demon's voice in his head as his "mother," but she decided that it wasn't important right then. "Oh. Well okay then. I didn't like him anyway. So, should we get breakfast before going to visit my..." She cleared her throat, her eyes clouding over. "To visit him." She finished.

Yugito heard Naruto shout food before hearing him fall, most likely getting himself caught up in the blankets and started laughing. Turning the stove off, she put the food onto two plates as she also put four slices of toast onto the plates as well. Once Naruto was in the kitchen, she'd admonish him for his eating habits. If Gemini didn't know about it, she'd threaten to bring the girl into the conversation as well.

"Breakfast sounds good," Gaara replied, curious as to why Gemini was looking at him strangely. Mentally shrugging, he assumed that it was a girl thing, not realizing that she was annoyed by him calling Shukaku 'mother'. And even though he heard the slip, he didn't say anything about it, knowing that while he didn't deserve the title, he was technically her foster father. "But before breakfast, I think we should get cleaned up, and you should probably go check with Temari-nee, just in case she's worried about you," he explained.

After untangling himself from the blankets, Naruto made his way into the kitchen, following the smell of food. "Good morning, Kitty-chan! Hey, you cooked breakfast! Where did all that food come from, though?" He asked, apparently having forgotten that he had ever had the food to begin with.

Gemini turned red with embarrassment, and nodded. "I must have startled the hell out of her, running out like that. Probably looked like an escaped mental patient." She mumbled, standing up. She would have to apologize to the older girl- a lot, if the look on Temari's face the night before was anything to go on.

"It came from your cabinets, hidden behind all the ramen cups," Yugito said as she stared at Naruto, giving him a version of the evil eye. "Don't tell me you don't remember getting this food..." she said. If he did, she would definitely be bringing Gemini in on this. Perhaps by hiding his cups of ramen would he then not try to hide the other food.

"I wouldn't be surprised. Why don't you talk to her while I get cleaned up?" he suggested before slowly getting up, feeling a few amount of his bones shift back into their proper places. He had a feeling that once Gemini explained everything to Temari, he would be ready to go meet with the bastard that abused her...without the thoughts of instantly wanting to turn him into paste.

Naruto blinked, looking confused. "I did? Really?" He asked, thoughtful. A lightbulb seemed to go on after a moment, and his eyes widened in realization. "Oh, yeah! Kakashi-sensei keeps bringing that stuff over! I started hiding it so he would thought I ate it. But then I was out of ramen one day and I got hungry and ate some of it and kinda liked it. I still keep it all hidden, though, cause I do have a reputation to keep. I can't have people knowing I eat regular food sometimes, dattebayo!" He laughed.

Gemini nodded. "Okay. Come meet me back here when you're done, okay?" She asked, waiting for him to agree before she waved and went inside. She went to Temari's room to find the wind mistress just getting up. She knocked softly and entered, looking shy and embarrassed. "T-temari-san? C-can I come in? I want to apologize for last night...and explain what happened..." She said, waiting for permission to enter fully.

Yugito stared at Naruto for a few seconds before shaking her head lightly as she brought the two plates over to the table. "Why am I not surprised Naruto?" she asked once she got herself under control before noticing that she forgot two things: something for them to drink and utensils.

Gemini nodded. "Okay. Come meet me back here when you're done, okay?" She asked, waiting for him to agree before she waved and went inside. She went to Temari's room to find the wind mistress just getting up. She knocked softly and entered, looking shy and embarrassed. "T-temari-san? C-can I come in? I want to apologize for last night...and explain what happened..." She said, waiting for permission to enter fully.

Gaara nodded before heading downstairs and into the room he shared with his brother. Chuckling softly when he saw his brother still snoring away, he headed into the bathroom and turned on the shower, all of his sand slowly reshaping itself back into the gourd that he wore, it knowing that he wouldn't be able to use it in the shower, or get clean. It was the only time that the Sand Shield and Armor were taken off.

"Gemini? Come in, please. I was worried sick," the wind user said as she opened the door for her roommate. She was curious as to what happened last night, wondering if her assumption about being with her younger brother was correct or not as well.

Naruto noticed that Yugito had forgotten both drinks and utensils, so he went into the kitchen and got a couple glasses and the silverware they would need. "I have milk, water and orange juice. What do you want?" He asked.

Gemini walked in and sat down next to Temari on her bed. "I'm so sorry, Temari-san. I can explain. I had this horrible nightmare- I have them all the time, really, but usually no one is around to witness them. When I woke up, I was just so terrified, and being in a new place...I panicked. I did the first thing that popped into my head- I ran to Gaara-san. I didn't even think of how it might effect you. I'm so, so sorry, Temari-san. I didn't mean to worry you. If it helps, Gaara-san is going with me today to...face my fears, so to speak." She explained, staring at the carpet the whole time.

[B]"Thanks Foxy-kun, I'm sorry for forgetting," she said with a light tinge of pink on her cheeks in embarrassment. Hearing him ask what she wanted to drink and what he had, she quickly responded with milk.

[B]Temari listened quietly to Gemini as she explained what happened, waiting for her to finish before responding. Once the fox girl had finished, she kept silent for a second, wording together the response that she wanted to give. Opening her mouth, she started speaking: "Gemini...we all have our fears that carry into our nightmares. While I did worry about you, I also had a feeling that you were trying to find the one person that could console you: my brother. For whatever reason, it seems as if you two are drawn to each other...something that I don't know if it's good or bad, but I'm taking a wait and see approach on it all. I'm just glad that you're alright," she said before using one arm to reach over and squeeze Gemini lightly, giving her a one-arm hug.

Naruto chuckled and got out the milk. "Kitty-chan, you really are a cat through to the core." He said, pouring milk for both of them.

Gemini welcomed the hug by returning it. She didn't know what it was like to have a sister, but she imagined it would be something like this. "Thank you, Temari-san. I...I'm glad you're around." Pulling back slightly, she looked up at the older girl trustingly. "Temari-san, I can never say this to Gaara-san...he's not ready to hear it. But I....I l-love him. I love Gaara-san..." She confided quietly, not sure how the other would take it.

"What's wrong with being a cat?" Amber asked. "Besides, from what I've heard of you, the same could be said about you and being a fox through and through Mr. Prankster," she added with a slight smirk.

"You're welcome Gem-chan," the older of the two replied, glad to see that Gemini was in better spirits. Letting her out of the hug, she was surprised with what Gemini said next. Not of the material, since she had guessed that would have eventually happened, but she was surprised that the fox girl trusted her that much to tell it to her. "I'm glad to hear that Gemini. I suspected for a while, especially when I pulled you aside that day. Speaking of which, those threats are still in place..." she said with complete seriousness. Their uncle already screwed with his mind, Gaara didn't need someone else to do that as well.

Naruto laughed loudly as he set the milk in front of her. "I never said it was a bad thing. And yeah, I guess you're right. I was pranking before I even knew about the Kyuubi, dattebayo." He said.

Gemini nodded. "I wouldn't expect anything less. I want to help him, Temari-san. I want to help him learn to love, and to get better. And even if he doesn't love me back, as long as I can see him happy, then that's okay." She admitted. She would never even think of hurting Gaara.

"You never said that it was a good thing either," Yugito pointed out as she thanked him for the glass of milk and the utensils.

"Then you have my blessings," Temari said after listening to Gemini. She was glad that the vixen was willing to do almost anything for her non-perverted brother...even if it wasn't with her. "Now then, why don't you get going? I'm sure he won't show it, but he'll be a little worried about you," she added.

Naruto shrugged. "It was just an observation, dattebayo. If you must know, I like that you're so cat-like. It's cute." He said, sitting down to his breakfast.

Gemini gasped and nodded. "You're right! He's probably waiting for me right now! Thank you, Temari-san!" She said, bowing before she rushed out of the room to go meet Gaara.

Yugito blushed lightly at that. "You do?" she asked, actually surprised as to how easily it was for him to make her blush like this. Before he could get up and check on her, she quickly started in on her food, hoping that he liked it.

Temari sat there for a second or two after Gemini left before giggling lightly. It would be quite fun to tease the two of them for a while. Moreso if Gaara didn't have any idea what she was inferring...

Naruto smiled. "Yeah. I like cats." He said. At that point, he was too busy enjoying his breakfast to notice the woman's blush. "Wow, this is really good, Kitty-chan! I wish I could cook like this!"

Gemini quickly made her way back to the rooftop where they had agreed to meet. She hoped Gaara hadn't been waiting too long. By now, she was too anxious to eat, and just wanted to get going.

Before Matatabi could even make a silent, and teasing, comment about what Naruto just said, she shut the bond between them off, effectively muting her. With her blush growing darker after his comment, she smiled lightly. "Thanks Foxy-kun," she replied, glad that he enjoyed it.

Gaara was waiting on the roof top for Gemini, curious as to what was taking her so long.

Naruto mumbled something that sounded like "you're welcome," though it was hard to tell since his mouth was full. He finished his food quickly and stood to put his dishes in the sink. "So, is there anything else we need to get done before we go meet Ero-Sannin?" He asked.

Gemini got there, panting slightly from running so fast. "I really...need to learn...some kind of...transportation jutsu..." She panted, catching her breath. Standing up straight, she raised a hand in greeting, smiling sheepishly. "Hi. Sorry it took me so long, I had to talk to Temari-san about a couple things. But it's all set now. So, ready to go?"

"I didn't push it last night, but I really want to know what type of jutsu you did to make the most perverted person on the planet agree to train us for the upcoming exams," Yugito replied. She had a feeling that they would be too tired after their training to be able to do anything than fall dead asleep.

(Also, what would you say about Jiraiya teaching Yugito how to do Kage Bunshin due to its usefulness?)

Gaara chuckled lightly at that. "Apparently you do. Next time you talk to your father, why don't you ask him for some tips?" he asked, knowing how useful his Suna Shushin was. "And it's alright. I had to dodge a few questions from Kankuro, so I just got here myself," he explained before asking if they were heading towards breakfast first or straight to the prison.

((Totally fine with Wolfie.))

Naruto blushed a dark pinkish color, and looked down. "I'd hoped you'd forget about that, 'tebayo. But...okay, if you insist, I'll show you. Just don't laugh!" He said, bringing his hands together in a hand seal. "Sexy Jutsu!" Once again there was a puff of smoke, and when it cleared a curvy blonde girl stood where Naruto had been moments before.

Gemini looked intrigued. "Now, there's a good idea." She said, surprised she hadn't thought of it herself. "Anyway, as long as you weren't waiting too long, I guess it's okay." She added. Her lighthearted tone disappeared at his next question, though. "I'm not hungry. I'd rather just get it over with, if that's okay with you?" She asked. She would go with him to have breakfast if he was hungry, but she wouldn't be eating anything herself.

Yugito looked at the blonde-haired female for a few seconds before a light smirk came to her face. "Foxy-kun...that is an ingenious prank. And people look down on you for something like that? I can understand why it's a little disgraceful to women, but the benefits far outweigh the cons, but if you want some help perfecting it..." she teased.

"I'm sure you would have thought of it on your own eventually Gemini-chan," Gaara responded before frowning lightly for a fraction of a second. "Understood. That's fine with me, but you'll have to lead the way. Though there has been something I've been wanting to try travel-wise..." he replied. Ever since seeing his sister using her fan to float in the air, he had wondered if he could make a 'platform' of sand in order to do the same.

The blonde's eyes widened, and Naruto was so startled by Yugito's reaction that he poofed back to his usual self. "W-wait, really? You think so? I mean, I made it up for pranks, and to embarrass Iruka-sensei, but besides Konohamaru-kun, no one's ever thought it was good before." He said, both surprised and pleased. He found that he was liking Yugito more and more as he got to know her.

Gemini raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, okay. It's a bit of a travel, since they don't want the prisoners to have too much contact with the public, but if we move fast we can make it in about two hours." She estimated, her ears twitching in the morning breeze.

"As I said, it's a little disgraceful towards women, but I can see the potential in it," she said. She also had a feeling that he had other versions of the technique, but wasn't going to say anything about it. "Really? No one thought it was actually a good prank? It could also work on seduction missions...send a clone in with that technique, get information and then transform back to shock the male..." she added before shaking her head, knowing they both had to be somewhere.

"Want to try something that may get us their quicker?" he asked.

Naruto laughed. "That's a great idea! I gotta ask Kakashi-sensei about using it sometime, dattebayo!" He said, looking up at the clock on the wall. "Oh, nuts! We're gonna be late!"

Gemini tilted her head, curious. How could she be sure what he was suggesting was safe? She didn't even know what he wanted to try. But...I trust him. She thought, and nodded. "Okay, sure. What do you have in mind?"