Sand Away From The Desert

The strong figure stood watching grains of sand float through the air in front of him. The sand looked out of place floating through the green forest he was standing in. He adjusted the gourd slung over his shoulder, seemingly fascinated by the flow of sand returning to the gourd. He closed his eyes slowly, frowning when he sensed a familiar chakra signature approaching behind him.

He turned to face the boy who was running toward him, his blond hair bouncing a bit on his head as he ran. Naruto closed the distance between them quickly and slid to a halt, barely keeping his balance. The boy opposite him felt his mouth twitch in annoyance at Naruto’s enthusiasm.

“Gaara!” Naruto squealed, as if the two were close friends reuniting, which was far from how Gaara felt about the intrusion.

Gaara stared back at Naruto, staying silent. Naruto’s eyes flashed over the other boy’s muscular body covered by his casual brown outfit, and then came up to meet Gaara’s black-rimmed eyes.

“You would not believe the trouble I went through to find you…” Naruto continued, somehow unfazed by Gaara’s silent glaring.

Gaara turned his back to Naruto, quickly forcing the remainder of his sand back into his gourd. He tried his best to tune out Naruto’s rambling, but even turning away from him didn’t slow down the boy’s incessant chatter. Gaara swung around to face him, annoyed. Naruto slowly closed his mouth, waiting for Gaara to respond to something he had said.

“Why are you here?” Gaara asked coldly.

“Weren’t you listening to me? Temari-san asked me to come find you. She’s going to head back to Suna tonight and wanted to speak to you before leaving,” Naruto replied.

Gaara frowned more deeply and began to calmly saunter toward town. It seemed that ever since he came to Konoha to work on arrangements with the Hokage there had been far too many distractions. Naruto hesitated for a moment and then scampered after Gaara, not wanting to be left behind.

A few minutes later Gaara and Naruto arrived at the gates of town and found Temari. Shikamaru and Kankuro were already standing at her side, and looked relieved when Gaara calmly made his way toward them.

“I was starting to think Naruto wouldn’t find you,” Temari said with a smile.

Gaara just nodded in understanding and looked at the group in front of him. Kankuro, who had already spoken to his sister, nodded at his brother Gaara and then ran back into the town to continue work on a mission. Shikamaru looked bored as usual, but still looked uncomfortable under Gaara’s glare. Temari sensed his discomfort.

“I will see you when I return in two weeks,” she said softly.

She glanced at Naruto and Gaara, hoping for them to divert their eyes and give her a moment with Shikamaru. Her glance was lost on the two boys who both just continued to stare back at her, one with a goofy grin and the other with an annoyed frown. Temari sighed and leaned in close to Shikamaru, whispering something in his ear. She gently squeezed his hand that was not in view of the other two boys. Then she quickly stepped back and watched as Shikamaru locked eyes with her and then turned and walked lazily away from them. Temari turned back to face Naruto and her brother.

“Gaara…” she whispered softly, struggling with what she should say.

Gaara just stared back at Temari and tipped his head slightly, waiting for her to say whatever she needed to. Gaara knew she would be back in a couple weeks, and didn’t really understand his siblings’ need to always greet each other upon arriving and say goodbye when they were leaving.

“Gaara,” Temari began again, “I didn’t call you here to say goodbye, since I know you hate when I do that. I just wanted to ask you to try not to lose your temper while I’m gone. Kankuro is busy with his mission and doesn’t have time to watch over you. Please just promise me that you won’t cause any trouble. I don’t want you ruining Sand’s reputation in the two weeks that I’m away.”

Temari looked at her brother sternly, awaiting his response. Gaara, who was standing with his arms crossed over his chest, tensed slightly.

“Do not talk down to me Temari,” he said coldly

Temari sighed, staring into the stubborn green eyes of her brother. She shook her head and turned to face Naruto, realizing she couldn’t get through to Gaara. The moment she turned away, Gaara turned on his heels and stalked back into the town. Naruto turned to watch Gaara strut away and then turned again to face Temari.

“Naruto, could you watch over my brother, please?” she pleaded.

“Temari, he’s the Kazekage. He doesn’t need my protection,” Naruto replied, oblivious and confused as usual.

“Naruto!” Temari snapped, annoyance rising in her voice, “I want you to make sure that Gaara stays out of trouble and doesn’t lose his temper!”

Naruto paused for a moment and then a huge grin spread across his tanned cheeks. He nodded enthusiastically and patted Temari on the shoulder.

“No problem!” he said happily.

Temari rolled her eyes at his enthusiasm and just turned and ran out through the town gate. Naruto quickly turned around and made his way back into town, hoping for something to do while in between missions.

***************************************

Hours later, Gaara began a slow walk to the apartment he was staying in while visiting Konoha. He had been meeting with the Hokage all night and was relieved to be done for the night. He rubbed the back of his pale neck as he walked, trying to ease the tension he felt there from sitting in the same position for so long.

He arrived at the apartment minutes later and made his way inside. The apartment was almost as empty as when he had first moved in more than a week earlier. He dropped his gourd near the empty coffee table and stretched his arms up over his head.

****************************************

Naruto walked down the streets of Konoha, glancing up at the stars above his head. He couldn’t help but be happy after hours of successful training. He had originally planned to head home, but knew he was too excited to sit still, so he decided to walk around for awhile. He was surprised when he heard hushed voices talking angrily. Naruto, without thinking, rushed toward them, expecting a fight.

He was surprised to see Gaara and Kankuro in front of Gaara’s temporary apartment. Gaara was standing in the doorway, one pale arm outstretched, blocking Kankuro from entering. Kankuro was standing in front of him, his fists clenched at his sides. Naruto stopped moving a short distance away as they continued talking.

“Gaara! You would force me, your own brother, to stand out here just so you don’t have to engage in a conversation?” Kankuro said angrily, while still trying to keep his voice down to avoid disturbing anyone else.

Gaara began to turn his back on his brother to go inside and slam the door, when he sensed another unwelcome presence. He quickly turned his eyes to Naruto, glaring at him. Naruto fidgeted a little under the cold stare before making his way slowly over to Kankuro’s side. When Kankuro noticed Naruto, his anger seemed to lessen.

“Fine Gaara. No one and nothing is ever important to you. I get it,” Kankuro growled.

Kankuro quickly turned and ran off down the street without another word. Naruto watched until Kankuro disappeared, and then looked up at Gaara. Gaara was still standing in the doorway, but had let his arm fall down to his side, no longer blocking the doorway since he assumed Naruto has no intention of entering his apartment. Naruto began to feel uncomfortable with the silence.

“I’m sure he was just angry,” Naruto said softly.

“What?” Gaara asked with confusion in his eyes.

“I don’t think he meant what he said. He was angry,” Naruto said.

Gaara was surprised that the other boy would care about what his brother said to him. He stared at the boy in front of him, surprised by the seriousness on his usually goofy face. Naruto seemed to want to say something else, but stopped when he realized Gaara was still glaring at him.

“I need to rest. I have a meeting in the morning,” Gaara said, no emotion in his voice.

Even with the uncaring tone of his voice, Naruto noticed something flicker in Gaara’s eyes. But after a moment it was gone, and Gaara turned his back and reentered his apartment. He closed the door behind him, leaving Naruto standing on the street, trying to figure out if he imagined the hidden emotion in Gaara’s eyes.