Sunshine

Naruto wrapped his arms around Gaara tightly, surprising Gaara out of the hug. His breathe came in his short spurts and his heart was racing. He didn't understand what was happening to him. He didn't touch people much, he never reacted like this. He looked up to find Naruto smiling at him. Then Gaara noticed that he was looking up at Naruto. When did he get so tall? He wasn't much taller than himself, but there was a significant difference. Gaara took note of how lean and muscular Naruto looked. He wanted to know what he looked like with out the shield of clothing. Where did that thought come from? The teacher cleared her throat alerting him to the present. He bowed his head in apology and sat down. Naruto followed his lead grinning like a chesire cat. Gaara felt the ends of his lips tugged up in the slightest of smiles. He couldn't remember the last time that he actually smiled. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

Class ended with the ringing of the bell. People surrounded Naruto, they were moths drawn to the flame. His personality shone like the sun and Gaara couldn't get near it. They all wanted to know where he had been and what he had been up to. He sighed when no one let him through to get to Naruto. He walked out the door, waiting in the hall. They had to leave him alone sometime.

"Hey Gaara you all right?" Gaara raised his head to meet the piercing stare of Sasuke. Shock ran through his system, Sasuke never asked how people were not even his own girlfriend.

"Yeah, why?" Gaara didn't know if he liked talking this way with the other boy. It was strange. I guess this is how friends act around each other.

"No reason. You just seemed out of it and that's not like you. You're always focused." Sasuke shrugged.

"Oh, I'm fine." Gaara didn't know what else to say. He was shocked and excited that Naruto was back. He was also confused with all the new feelings that sparked to life with one simple hug. Many emotions ran through him that made no sense. He didn't know how to sort through them all. "Thank you for asking," Gaara said awkwardly. Did people really thank people for worrying? The words felt foreign on his tongue, it felt right though. Sasuke smirked and walked to his next class.

"There you are. I thought you left without me." Naruto bounded over to Gaara with his backpack hanging off of one shoulder. Gaara swallowed hard, Naruto was so happy to see him. It made him ache for more bodily contact he didn't dare seek out.

"I was waiting for the mob to dissipate," Gaara said adjusting his backpack. Naruto slung an arm around his shoulder bringing him in for a one armed hug. He knocked there heads together lightly.

"It's good to be back and now that I am you won't be able to get rid of me."

Gaara's throat closed up threatening to take all his breath away. How he wanted Naruto's statement to be true. There is nothing in the world he wanted more than for Naruto stay by his side. In more ways than one. He didn't understand his desire for the other ways. Is this what people call a crush? He never had one before. Temari's voice rang in his ear. She always talked about how her heart raced, how much she wanted to be near the one she liked. That their very presence was both nerve racking and comforting. He was experiencing the same symptoms. Gaara shook his head. That couldn't be it. He was just happy that Naruto was back. Nothing more.

"Where to?" Naruto ask never letting go of Gaara as they walked down the hall.

"I don't know about you, but I have gym now," Gaara said, keeping his voice even.

"Ah, crap. I have English next. Don't tell me we only have math together?" Naruto pouted making his lips stand out more for Gaara. They looked really soft. I wonder if there are as soft as they look. I bet they taste good. Never had thoughts like those before. Gaara took Naruto schedule with a daze. They only had one more class together.

"We have history together."

"Sweet. Meet at the oak tree at lunch okay?"

"Sure. You know where it is?"

"Yeah, I had a tour of the school the other day. Give me your cell number so I can text you."

Gaara shook his head. "I don't have one."

"Oh, come on."

"I don't. There was never any reason to."

Naruto's eyes widened and he pulled Gaara in another hug. Bringing their bodies together. Gaara's world spun, he forgot how much Naruto liked to touch. He showed his affection for people with contact. Gaara could get used to this, especially if it meant he got to be around Naruto. "We're going to have to fix that," Naruto said, his hot breath ghosting over Gaara's ear, shivers ran up and down his spine.

"Huh?" Gaara didn't think he was capable of any other word. Naruto's body against his shut off his brain. His body tingled with excitement. His nerves were highly sensitive with every little move his friend made. Even the simplest shift of weight sent his heart thumping against his chest. He never felt so alive before. What he was doing before wasn't living. Being with Naruto brought life to everything. Life before was dull before Naruto came back into his life. It was like he was living in a grey world. Naruto truly was his sunshine he brought light back into his life. He would be damned before he ever let it go again. And as for his confusing feelings he would let them come in to light at their own pace. He was perfectly happy hugging Naruto.

"We're going to get you a cell today. Now that I'm here you're going to need one. After school we can go get one," Naruto pulled away with a bright smile.

"I don't have a car."

"We can take mine," Naruto said proudly, his chest puffed out.

"You have a car. Lucky bastard," Gaara said with his second small smile of the day. Two smiles in one day was a record for him. The world might be ending soon if he kept it up.

"You bet I do. It can be a piece of junk sometimes, but it's mine."

"Wait. Temari is picking me up later. I don't have a way to tell her."

"You don't know her number."

"No," Gaara said, arms crossing over his chest.

"Then we'll wait for her to come get you and tell her then."

Gaara's brow rose. "She'll be utterly pissed."

"I know. I haven't seen her mad in years. It should be fun." The warning bell rang. The stragglers in the hall started jogging to their classes. Gaara didn't care if he was late, he hated gym anyway. "Better hurry." Naruto hugged Gaara one more time and left with a huge grin waving like a maniac.

Gaara went to gym with a light feeling in his heart and a new excitement for the day that he never felt before.