Naruto had never understood why most men despised shopping. He'd expected Gaara to be thrilled at the prospect of purchasing new clothes. Instead he scowled and glanced around as though he couldn't wait to get out of the store.

It didn't help matters that Kakashi seemed equally impatient.

Naruto lifted a chambray shirt off the stack, unfolded it, and held it up. He was slightly disappointed that his attempt at conversation hadn't been as successful as he'd hoped. But he didn't plan to easily give up his quest to learn more from him. Thank goodness he's taken into consideration that it might take him a while to open up more fully. Their time together was only just beginning.

"Turn around, Gaara," he ordered.

"Why?"

He rolled his eyes with impatience at the distrust in his voice. If anyone shouldn't be trusted, it was Gaara.

"So I can get an idea as to whether or not this one will come close to fitting you," he explained.

"It looks about right," Gaara said.

"And I'm sure whoever gave you those clothes thought the same thing. Let's be sure, shall we?"

He turned, presenting Naruto with his back, but his stiff stance fairly shouted that he hadn't wanted to comply with his request.

"Uncross your arms," Naruto said

He did as ordered, but Naruto could tell he wasn't pleased about having to do it. He found it comforting to know the outlaw reacted the same way his brothers would if Naruto wanted to measure a shirt against them.

He held the shirt up to Gaara's shoulders. Despite the fact that Gaara didn't look as though he's eaten a decent meal in his entire life, he did have a broad back and wide shoulders.

"Iruka, what do you think?" Naruto asked.

Iruka stopped browsing through the denim britches. "Might work for sitting in church, but I'm thinking he needs more room for working on a ranch."

"You're right. We'll go with one a bit larger."

He looked through the stack until he found one that was a little bigger. He took the britches that Iruka handed him and passed them to Gaara. "Hold these against your waist."

Reluctantly he did as Naruto commanded.

"Kakashi, those should fit him, don't you think?" he asked.

"I reckon."

"Did you even look?" he asked.

"They're britches. Long enough. Wide enough. They'll do for working on a ranch," Kakashi said.

"You're absolutely no help," He told him.

"You didn't say I had to help. You said I had to bring you to town."

Sometimes his brothers were more trouble than they were worth.

"Fine," he said, ready to move on to the next aspect of his project to tidy Gaara up. "We'll purchase two britches, three work shirts, and a white shirt for special occasions," he said.

"I don't need one for special occasions," Gaara said.

Ignoring him, Naruto picked out the clothes he would purchase, including a white shirt.

"Iruka and I are going to look at patterns and material now," he told Kakashi. "I thought you could take Gaara to the barber's."

Gaara still had stubble covering his face, and his hair fell in shaggy waves around his face. Naruto wondered if anyone had bothered to explain to him that the bunkhouse had a bathing room in the back. He wondered if they trusted him with a straight razor. He'd have to talk with Zabuza about that.

"I thought you just wanted to get him clothes," Kakashi said.

"You thought wrong," he said smugly.

Kakshi sighed. "Do you have any other surprises in store for me?"

"Of course, but if I tell you about them then they won't be a surprise. When we're finished here, we'll meet you at the Peers House," Naruto informed him. He liked the hotel because they had female waiters. He remembered the ruckus that the daring idea had caused.

"All right." Kakashi turned on his heel. "Gaara, let's go."

Naruto watched Gaara follow his brother out of the store. He could hardly wait to see him spruced up. Surly he wouldn't look as dangerous once his hair was trimmed and his face shaved.

Thank goodness, shopping with Iruka would keep him distracted so he wouldn't get antsy while waiting to see the results of his project.

He turned to Iruka. "Now that we got rid of them, let's go have some fun shopping."

Iruka laughed. "I'm thinking you've been having fun all morning manipulating every man in your life, starting with your father."

Naruto had to admit that he was enjoying himself. He just wished he knew how to make Gaara open up a little more. The less he talked, the more Naruto wanted him to.

OutlawxOutlawxOutlawxOutlawxOutlaw

Sitting at a cloth-covered table in the hotel dinning area an hour later, Naruto couldn't be happier. He so enjoyed visiting town. The city had so much excitement to offer.

He wished he did have time to shop for a new hat, but he had plans for the afternoon, and he didn't want to risk not having enough time to carry them through.

Perhaps he'd marry a city fella. His father certainly knew enough lawyers and businessmen, and he was inviting them to his birthday celebration. His brothers knew cattlemen. And they would be coming.

Soon his life could change in ways he's never dared to imagine.

He took a small sip of hot tea from the china cup before saying to Iruka, "I can't imagine what's taking them so long."

Placing his elbows on the table, Iruka leaned forward. "You know, Gaara didn't look anything like I thought he would. I expected him to look a bit meaner. Perhaps have a scar across his face or rotting teeth or a nose knotted up from all the times it had been broken."

Naruto nodded, "I did, too."

"He certainly doesn't say much," Iruka said.

"I don't imagine one does a lot of socializing in prison. I sorta felt like I was carrying on a one-sided conversation—except when Kakashi would interrupt with his views on a subject. I really need you to keep him occupied this afternoon so I can talk with Gaara alone."

"I'm not sure Kakashi will agree to leave you alone with Gaara."

"I don't need to be alone with Gaara. I just need Kakashi to be far enough away that Gaara might feel a bit more comfortable talking with me. Besides, I think Kakashi is sweet on you. I imagine he'll welcome having some time with you."

Don't be silly." Iruka blushed. "Kakashi has no interest in the likes of me."

"Of course he does. And you're just as sweet on him. Admit it. That's the reason you always make his favorite desserts."

"I'll admit I think he is a fine young man."

"Then it shouldn't be a hardship for you to keep him busy this afternoon when I put the next step of my plan into action," Naruto said.

Iruka shook his head. "Why are you so interested in this outlaw?"

"I want to try to figure out why he decided to rob banks." If he could understand that, then the knowledge might help him later if he had to deal with criminals when he became a lawyer.

"He probably started out simple enough. A bit of rebellion. Sneaking around doing things he shouldn't." Iruka raised a brow. "Like spending time with a young man your father has forbidden you to."

"He forbade me to be alone with him," he emphasized. "I've never been completely alone with him."

"I still think your asking for trouble." Iruka raised his hand and waved. "There's Kakashi."

Naruto glanced casually over his shoulder...and ceased to breathe as Gaara strode toward him with a confidence he hadn't exhibited before.

The trip to the barbershop had cleaned him up far better than Naruto expected it to. Gaara's neatly trimmed hair barely touched his collar. Without shaggy red strands falling across his brow, his light green eyes mesmerized him. With his scraggly beard removed, he didn't appear rough.

His nose, cheeks, and chin were more prominent—rugged, as though the dry wind had chiseled them from stone with care and precision. Taking its time and striving for perfection.

Naruto couldn't tare his gaze from him. The outlaw was without a doubt one of the handsomest young men he'd ever seen.