When Sasuke Met Naruto (SasuNaru)

- Chapter 17 -

The next day – Tuesday – Gaara Subakuno sat at the lunch table along with Naruto's crew. He wasn't arrogant enough to consider himself part of their group yet – it had only been a day, after all – though he by no means felt uncomfortable sitting among their ranks. If anything, it was Sasuke and the others that were still adjusting to his presence, and Gaara wouldn't have it any other way. He didn't particularly care about any of them anyway – it was only Naruto that interested him.

In fact, as he sat there watching Sasuke talking to his boyfriend, Gaara felt an itching feeling of irritation that he was forced to fight back. Who did Uchiha think he was, anyway? He's only known Naruto for a week, and yet he already thinks he's worthy of being in his presence. Did he even realize how lucky he was to have Naruto in his life? It was disgusting.

He'll never understand how special Naruto is... it's a travesty...

As much as Gaara despised being around Sasuke, however, he was determined not to leave Naruto's group under any circumstances. After all, if he left, it would be impossible to make Sasuke squirm, and that would truly be a tragedy. More importantly, though, Gaara still had a great deal of research left to do.

Sitting back at the table, watching Naruto shovel cup ramen into his mouth between snippets of conversation, Gaara found he was truly amazed. It didn't make any sense – Naruto had put his life on the line to protect Uchiha but what did he have to gain by that? Did that stuck-up bastard really mean that much to him? How could he possibly feel that way, when it's clear Uchiha doesn't fully appreciate what he has?

Could it really be as simple as... love?

The thought truly scared Gaara, that, just because he was enamored with Sasuke, Naruto would act so... selflessly. And yet, as much as Gaara thought about it, he couldn't come up with any other explanation. Naruto had nothing to gain from intervening in that fight – Sasuke certainly hadn't asked for any help, or even wanted it – but he stepped in anyway, and took quite a beating in the process. The only reason that Gaara could think of was that, for whatever reason, Naruto thought it was worth the sacrifice to save the man he loved.

But why? Was love really that powerful? Gaara couldn't think of a single time when he'd put someone else's concerns before his own. It wasn't selfish – it was practical. What difference did it make if someone else got beaten to a pulp? Their lives had no impact on his own. In the end, his life was the only one that mattered. If he died, that was it – the end. If he needed to kill someone else to stay alive, then there was no need to question his actions. The only reason he would ever save someone was if, for whatever reason, their presence was beneficial to himself.

Was that why Naruto intervened? Was his emotional connection to Uchiha so strong that life without him would be unbearable? No, that didn't sound like Naruto. It was too... cowardly. If anything, that would be Uchiha's reasoning. No, Naruto's motives were more altruistic. He said so himself, "If I had stood by and watched you beat him to a pulp, whether or not he deserved it... I'd never be able to forgive myself." It wasn't fear... it was the desire to protect what was important to him.

But why? It still doesn't make sense! It's so incredibly stupid, and yet... and yet... I can't stop thinking about it. I want to know more about Naruto... how he ticks, what he likes...

Gaara stopped himself – what was he thinking? He didn't need to learn more about Naruto. That wasn't the mystery. All that mattered was figuring out why he'd helped Uchiha. Nothing more, nothing less.

"You all right, Gaara? You look a bit flushed."

Gaara snapped to attention, shaking his head momentarily before focusing on Naruto, who was waving a hand before the redhead's eyes. "What? Oh, I'm fine..."