Name: All the things of dearest value hang on slender strings
Author: sirona on ao3
Word Length: 15,713
Summary (provided by Author): Nothing sours a village's mood faster than a heatwave, and with the anniversary of the Fourth Ninja War on the horizon, the Nanadaime Hokage knows something must be done about it. That's where Sabaku no Gaara comes in, but Sasuke is not best pleased with his involvement.
It's hot. Sweat is gathering at Naruto's hairline, at his neck, at the base of his back where his Hokage robes won't let the air in. Opposite him Gaara sits impassively and though Naruto imagines he's used to the heat, he can still see a thin shine above his lip that means the weather is unbearable, even to the Kazekage.
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Work Text:
Naruto knows they are not the only two people suffering. Konoha has been blanketed by the nastiest heat wave in recent memory and many people are floundering under its oppressive humidity. What Naruto wouldn't give for a swim! This weather is good for nothing other than lounging somewhere on a beach, working on one's suntan, he thinks idly.
Naruto's thoughts drift, as they have often done the past few days, to the upcoming anniversary of the war. He knows that he is not the only one brooding and that it's more than the heat that has the village subdued. 'Too many gaps in the weave of familiar faces,' is what Neji says, and Naruto knows he's right. He is aware that he has recently started to focus more on the gaps than on the people actually there; he doesn't like it. It's not what Ero-sennin would have wanted, being mourned to the extent that it takes over his entire life, turning all enjoyment to ashes. Something needs to be done; as Hokage it falls on him to figure out what that something is. He has a number of advisors on all matters; surely someone can come up with something reasonable?
He sighs silently. This is not how he imagined his job as Hokage would be, and he wonders what Shizune had to do to keep Tsunade focused in meetings during her time as Godaime. These are peaceful times, however – he would go through a hundred more of these meetings if it ensured the safety and prosperity of his people. He has grown enough to understand that the more bored he is, the less trouble the village gets into. While he is not above complaining about it, he relishes it as the reminder it is – they have won, the war is over.
"You are thinking again," Gaara observes, bringing Naruto's musings to a stuttering halt.
"So I am," he chuckles apologetically and rubs at the back of his hair, embarrassed at zoning out. He turns back to face Gaara, the slight breeze from the open window at his back teasing the damp hair at his nape. "Sorry about that. I'm not used to this sort of weather. I wish—"
Naruto seems to freeze for a moment, his eyes glazing slightly, and then he turns to look at Gaara with unrestrained excitement on his face. Gaara knows that look.
"I have an idea ..." Naruto starts, but Gaara already knows that he does. He lifts an enquiring eyebrow, a feel of trepidation coming over him at the sight of Naruto's twinkling eyes.
"How about we have a beach party?"
"A beach party," Gaara repeats flatly.
"Yeah! A beach party. And Yamato-sensei can build a wooden swimming pool, and we can have the kids try surfing, and build sandcastles – and we can have a proper festival! A week-long festival! Maybe I could ask Prince Hikaru to lend us the Land of the Moon's circus ..."
Gaara will regret interrupting – "Have you forgotten where we are? Where are you going to get all this water and sand from?" – because the Nanadaime Hokage is now looking in his direction with a determined little sly smile at his mouth.
"You mean who am I going to get all this water and sand from."
Gaara turns his gaze to stare pointedly at the window and Naruto doesn't say anymore. He doesn't need to. The heavy feel of the air and the gloomy mood of the people are things Gaara understands. In his own village he would have shaded them in a shield of sand; the duty of the Kage to provide for the needs of their subjects is something else he understands.
