Home Is Where The Heart Is || Naruto Fanfic

Chapter Twelve

Gaara lay on the ground, seafoam-green eyes watching the horizon, as the golden sun set below the earth below it. Naruko sat beside him, leaning back and propped up on her arms. She breathed in deeply, exhaling quietly through her nose. Gaara watched silently, pale eyes trained on the girl's nervous form. 

"You okay?" He asked softly. Naruko didn't even glance at him, simply fell from her leaning position to a laying one beside the other, now appearing more sad. 

"I'm..." She trailed off, teeth worrying at her bottom lip. Gaara sat and lightly poked her shoulder with his finger, then began to gently trail his finger around the shell of her ear in a slow and steady pace. "I'm worried." She confessed.

Gaara hummed softly, turning his hand to brush his knuckle gently against the girl's hairline on the side of her head. A soft, contented hum escaped her, and Gaara couldn't help the small feeling of pride and joy in his chest at being able to calm the girl even a little bit. 

"What about?" He urged quietly and softly. Naruko exhaled softly through her nose, eyes closing. Gaara brushed his knuckle along her hairline, fingers gently sliding strands of hair to the side. 

"Sasuke." She murmured quietly. Gaara fought the urge to frown, keeping his expression calm despite the other not being able to see him. 

"What happened?" 

"He hasn't written in a few days and there was nothing in his last letter to say he wouldn't be able to. He's always written something every day or so, even just to say 'good night', or 'good morning'." 

"He's a genin now, right? He might have just gotten a last-minute mission to do with his team." 

Naruko sighed heavily, eyelids lifting and revealing dual-coloured orbs. "I know. I can't help but worry, though." 

Gaara didn't answer right away, not exactly knowing what to say to her worry. When had he ever been taught to empathise? When had he ever been taught to comfort? When had he ever been taught to be human? 

Instead, Gaara looked down at Naruko's pretty eyes, and formed a small smile. 

"We could go see him, if you want." He offered, a pleasant warmth washing over him at the blonde's surprised expression.

"You wouldn't mind?" 

"'Course not." 

Naruko was silent for a moment, the corners of her mouth pulling upwards into a bright grin. 

"Thank you, Gaara." 

Gaara didn't respond, ignoring the sudden warmth that bloomed in his chest when Naruko leaned into his hand with a content sigh. He remained silent.

The next day, Naruko woke Gaara up by jumping on his stomach. He immediately spluttered, coughing roughly and adrenaline hosting a high-energy party throughout his whole body. 

"Sorry, Gaara!" Naruko quickly apologised, lightening some of the weight put on his torso. "But the pervy sage sent a letter!" That had Gaara waking up. 

"What did it say?" He questioned, leaning his upper body on his elbows as much as he could with how Naruko was sat on his stomach. The blonde's face nearly split in half with how wide her grin was, and Gaara couldn't help the small thrum of excitement and suspicion towards it.