Commander Kitsune

Forty

Naruto's POV

Gaara hesitates, pausing. "I... I don't know."

I nodded a bit, understanding, and sit down on the white dimension floor, motioning him to do the same. He does, facing me, confusion written across his face.

"...So what are you doing here?" He asks, and I smiled softly.

"Rescuing you of course- everyone's outside waiting for you."

He blinks. "But... I lost Shukaku. I should be dead."

...Ah. "Lady Chiyo sacrificed herself for you," I say sadly. "You have a whole village to lead, after all." Something like pain flickers across his face, something similar to grief. I let the words sink in, and watch as Gaara lets out a slow sigh after a few moments.

"I... thank her for what she's done. She will be honored. She was a wonderful shinobi." He says finally, slowly.

"Indeed," I agreed, and it was odd how we were just here inside his mindscape, conversing about such things. Perhaps we just didn't want to face the world yet. Perhaps we needed a break.

Gaara turns to me, his face softening. "So. Where have you been all these years?" He asks, and the question surprises me. I tense. I didn't know he knew- "I asked. When the Sand held the chunin exams and I didn't see you. Sasuke told me you left."

...Oh. "I... needed to find myself, I guess. The village was too much for me back then. I'm back though- hopefully for good." I say, choosing my words carefully. Gaara stares at me for a moment, but doesn't push, and merely nods.

"You were close? You and Sasuke? He seemed a bit affected as he was telling me the news."

Another painful feeling tugs at my chest as I curled my lips up slightly- something akin to a smile. "....Something like that. In the past," I murmured, and he lets out a soft breath, smiling softly back. Gaara's grown, I realized. He's more... calm. Mature? Like the kazekage he is.

"Congratulations on Kazekage, by the way. The title suits you." I say, changing the subject. I had heard whispers among the streets of the Sand, about how Gaara fought against the Akatsuki to protect his village- using the last of his strength to stop a giant bomb and to move his sand safely out of the village.

"Ah. ...It's nothing," he breathes out, closing his eyes slowly. "I'm honored that I can serve my village. I've grown to love it, and find people to love, like you taught me, Naruto." He pauses. "You were the one who recommended me for the position of Kazekage, don't you remember?"

I blinked a few times, the memory suddenly rushing back. "Oh that's right- I had forgotten."

Gaara lets out a short laugh- and I feel my chest lighten when I hear it's genuine. He's different from his past self now- he's happy, with a whole village to watch over. I allowed myself a small chuckle.

"Well. Shall we?" I say, starting to stand up.

Gaara nods, standing up as well, and we exit the mindscape.

......................................................................................................................

We open our eyes to clapping around us- cheering and applause. Sand ninja surround us. Confused, I look around, and spot Temari. Ah. She probably got some groups of shinobi so they could come and help out if needed, though it wasn't needed. Her eyes light up when she sees Gaara wake up, and she smiles.

Gaara tries to sit up, and I help him, looping one of his arms around my shoulder. We stand up- when I look at him, his eyes are wide and staring at the clapping shinobi around us, his expression something like surprise. I let out a small sigh, smiling lightly. He doesn't know the effect he has on people.