The Song of Shifting Sands (Gaara x Reader)

A Crushing Announcement

I'm glad you're still with me! Please don't forget to vote and comment if you like this! Also, don't forget that your outfit is up at the top of every chapter, and always has your headphones added!⬆️ Thanks, now to the book!

https://open.spotify.com/track/6h5PAsRni4IRlxWr6uDPTP?si=-pOKWZvATyaBI6hq67wzRQ

Everybody from the villages were getting mixed together, to start the tournament. The teams were mixed as a sign of unity, but nobody was happy about being on the same team as someone they'd probably only just met. You were secretly praying you were in a trio with someone you knew, at least for the first round.

The announcer's voice boomed out of the speakers around the stadium. "Welcome everyone, to the village unity tournament!" Everyone steeled themselves, and the quiet murmuring faded away. The announcer started listing the trios, and you waited, listening for your name. 

"Temari, Sasuke, and Shikamaru?" The next group was called. Lucky Temari, with people she knew. You braced yourself, as there were only about twelve people left. You closed your eyes and gripped your mp3, fully prepared to drown out comments from whoever your teammates would be. "Y/N..." That was your name... You stepped forwards, opening your eyes as the announcer called the names of your teammates. "Naruto..." You let out a sigh of relief as Naruto stepped forwards, grinning. "And Gaara..?" You held your breath as Naruto's grin faltered. The red-haired ninja stepped forwards, his expression unreadable. "Please continue to your training room." 

You turned on your mp3 and slipped your f/c headphones over your ears, closing your eyes as you walked through the doorway. At least you were with Naruto... And Gaara? You didn't know him though, so this was going to be awkward. You reached your training room and waited for the others. "Y/N! I'm so glad I'm with someone I know!" Naruto ran down the hallway towards you. When he realised you were ignoring him, he reached over and yanked your headphones off you. 

"Hey! Naruto, give them back!" You yelled as he ran back off down the hallway, straight towards Gaara, who dodged out of the way last minute. You then made the hand sign for the syren Jutsu, then started to sing as your hair raised as if charged with static. You weren't singing anything particular, just making up the song as you went, but Naruto's eyes went cloudy, and he slowly walked up to you, handing you your headphones. You stopped singing, your hair returning to normal.

Naruto shook his head and frowned at you, and pouted. "No fair, Y/N!" He said. Meanwhile, you looked sideways and saw Gaara staring at you weirdly, like a mixture of curiosity and angriness. You blushed and frowned at him. "What?" He shook his head, his expression returning to its normal state. "Nothing, let's get training." He replied.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_TIMESKIP_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

You walked down the path with Gaara, heading back to your house. Naruto had cheerfully chirped a goodbye a couple of minutes ago, so it had just been you and Gaara. You noticed he was subtly staring at you as you walked. You pulled out your mp3 player, and pressed play, pulling your headphones up over your ears to cover up your blush.

A few minutes later, you turned the corner and saw Temari with... Shikamaru? Oh, this was too good. You twisted and grabbed Gaara, pulling him behind a tree. You saw the confusion on his face, but when he saw Shikamaru with Temari, he settled down. They were moving closer, and you could barely hold in your squeal. Gaara put his hand over your mouth, to prevent you from speaking. His expression said 'zip it'. 

His hand was warm and distracting so you grabbed his arm and gently pushed it down. He had the nerve to look offended, and you nearly laughed, holding it in last minute. Wait, Gaara? Making you laugh? That's a first.  You then paused your mp3 music, sliding your headphones off of your ears to better take in the scene. You noticed Gaara lightly blushing, realising what Shikamaru was about to do as he leaned down towards Temari. 

You looked back, just in time to see Shikamaru's lips meet with Temari's. Your face lit up and your mouth stretched into a massive grin. Then before they noticed, you pulled Gaara away from them, and you both walked back to your house in silence. 

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_TIMESKIP_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

You were all sitting at the dinner table when Temari told you that she kissed Shikamaru. You feigned surprise, while Gaara smirked down at his plate. "What is it Gaara?" Asked Temari. You kicked Gaara under the table and when he looked at you, you did the kill it action. Kankuro was looking between you and Gaara, and Temari was blushing as she looked down at her plate, having not touched any of it.  Gaara looked away from you, and you continued to eat.