Shukaku's absence leave a hole in him that Gaara doesn't know how to fill, until Naruto's bright intentions come along. —Gaara-centric silliness; sometimes a little gift can go a long way.
Naruto hands it to him between one of his oddly timed, unprecedented visits; it's not long after Shukaku's been ripped from him, and his body has finally grown used to the feeling of truly, finally being alone. Without a word, Naruto simply smiles and pushes the plastic carrier into his hands.
Peering into the depths of the cage in confusion, Gaara spots slit blue eyes shining inside, and a little fluffy body. Immediately, his brow curls downwards with confusion, and he doesn't know what to do but stare, viridian eyes flickering between his friend and his fluffy surprise.
His lips curling softly, Naruto bounds forward before Gaara can say much else, popping the door on the cage and gently-but-firmly pulling the little creature out. It mews pitifully, eyes wide as he presses it to Gaara's chest, forcing him to set the carrier down so that he can hold onto its contents instead.
Rather than force itself away, like he half expects it to, it meets his eyes for a long moment, as if searching, before it settles in his arms, a soft rumble coming from its throat.
Unable to find words, Gaara looks at Naruto, his eyes skirting a glare; he doesn't quite understand the point of the offering, and he knows that Naruto can see that.
"I named him Ichibi," Naruto says finally, smile knowing. "I thought it kind of suited him." And you. "I thought you could use a little company, now that ol' sandy is gone."
And Gaara doesn't know what to do but hold the cat uncertainly to his chest, fingers combing absently through soft white fur, and stare at Naruto because he suddenly, abruptly just gets what his friend is trying to do. And he's unable to even regard Kankuro or Temari, who have been gaping at their sides since the whole ordeal began.
All Gaara does is hug it a little closer to his chest and comb his fingers through its fur, feeling the rumble of its happiness.
"Ichibi, huh?" he says softly.
The cat looks up for a moment, blue eyes lazily blinking.
"I see."
Exchanging one companion for another; from murderous and psychotic, to innocent as a newborn. He can see the merits in such an exchange. Besides, Gaara's always heard that cats were what lonely old women used to chase away their loneliness. Perhaps Ichibi will chase away the hole that Shukaku left?
After a pregnant pause, he looks up at Naruto, and green eyes seem to shine for the first time in years.
"Thank you, Naruto."
And the blond just grins wide, takes his hand, and tugs him out of the room, past his gaping siblings, exclaiming loudly about 'introducing the cat to the village' and 'finding it a proper bed'. And Gaara lets him, a fond smile on his face.
Sometimes, he can't help but be thankful for Naruto.
He's the kind of friend Gaara never knew he wanted until he had him, and will forever cherish until they're both gone.