Desert Stars

Argument

Y/n's POV

I didn't have to pretend to be sad at Lady Chiyo's funeral. I actually kind of liked her. She didn't take shit from anyone, and I admire that.

Everyone was kind of surprised to hear the Leaf shinobi and Gaara talk about what happened on the mission, myself included. Those Akatsuki guys they fought were totally insane, and I couldn't believe that they actually ran into Itachi. Honestly, I didn't believe Sakura the first time that she told me that she defeated Sasori. On top of all that, Gaara was literally dead, and because of Chiyo's quick thinking, he's not dead anymore, which saved people a lot of headaches.

It was kind of a fun surprise to see Lee, Neji, Tenten and Guy. I've never been as close with Squad 9 as I was with Squad 7, but I have spent a lot of time with them over the years. Tenten is awesome, Lee makes me smile, and Neji is way too cool for me but I still like him. They weren't at all surprised to see me, though, because apparently my parents have been bragging to everyone in the village about my engagement to Gaara. I'm kind of looking forward to them coming here for the wedding, so I can yell at them.

"Thanks again Naruto," Gaara says. "For everything."

I shake myself out of my thoughts, trying to focus on what's going on right now. We're standing at the entrance to the village, saying goodbye to the ninjas from the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Last night, I seriously thought about packing a bag and leaving with them, then I thought better of it. Naruto literally just got back from fighting some of the most powerful shinobi in the world, so I can keep sitting in a fancy mansion and planning a wedding.

Naruto grins sheepishly, and his eyes get all squinty. "Ah, don't mention it."

"You've done a lot for me over the years, more than you could ever know," Gaara says. He holds out his hand to Naruto. "I don't know how I can ever fully repay you."

Naruto just stares at Gaara's hand for an awkwardly long time, and I stare at him, hoping that he'll get my message and just SHAKE THE GUY'S HAND ALREADY.

Sand inches out from Gaara's gourd, and it loosely wraps itself around Naruto's hand, gently moving it up to meet Gaara's. He shakes it, and Naruto looks down at the sand, looking relieved. Honestly, I'm a little relieved too. This means that Gaara still has his powers, even though he lost his Tailed Beast. I mean, if I have to marry this guy, he might as well be a sand-wielding badass.

"Thank you to all of you," Gaara says, dropping Naruto's hand and looking at everyone else. "You have rescued me from a very grim fate. If not for you, I do not know where I or my village would be. The Village Hidden in the Sand will always be prepared to help the Leaf Village. All you need to do is ask."

"Thank you," Kakashi says, nodding to the Kazekage.

Gaara nods back.

Naruto and I already said our goodbyes, multiple times, actually, but I pull him into one last hug before he can walk away.

"You can do this," he tells me.

I hesitate for a second before answering. "I know."

Naruto releases me, a wide smile on his face, and I drink it in, trying to emblazon the memory into my mind, so I can conjure it up whenever things get hard.

"Hurry up, Naruto!" Sakura calls.

"I have to go," Naruto says. "I'll see you soon, Y/n."

I nod, and Naruto runs after the others.

"Let's head back in," Gaara says, starting back towards the village, and everyone falls in behind him.

I jog to catch up to him, wanting to ask the question that I've been dying to ask ever since he got back. "Hey."